Former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris has offered what many are calling a lukewarm endorsement of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified socialist rising within the Democratic Party. Her comments, made during an appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show, came just days after New York Governor Kathy Hochul gave Mamdani her official endorsement a move that Harris herself has apparently stopped short of matching with enthusiasm.
When pressed directly on Maddow’s program, Kamala Harris seemed reluctant to fully embrace Mamdani’s campaign. “Look here, as far as I’m concerned, he is the Democratic nominee, and he should be well supported,” Harris said First, before Maddow pushed her to be specific.
“Do you really support his candidacy?” Maddow asked, leaving a room for ambiguity.
Kamala Harris “I support the Democratic Party in the race, sure!”
Harris responded, shaking her hands and raising them in the air, a gesture that quickly drew attention from the online political commentators. She then distanced herself from Mamdani’s candidacy and began to shine a spotlight on other Democrats running in mayoral races across the country.
Kamala Harris insisted that Mamdani is not a “rising star” in the Democratic Party. “I know [Mamdani’s] in New York, and I know New Yorkers think they’re the center of the world,” Harris jumped in, noting the location of the live interview. “But I mean, there’s people like Barbara Drummond in Mobile, Alabama, Helena Moreno in New Orleans. They’re all running for mayor, and they’re stars.”
Kamala Harris went on to emphasize the importance of expanding the spotlight beyond New York City. “I hope we don’t overexpose New York City to the point that we lose sight of the stars across our country who are now running for mayor and many other offices,” Harris said. “That’s where I am.”
Her comments contrast sharply with Governor Hochul’s staunch support, reflecting the mixed feelings within the Democratic establishment about Mamdani’s candidacy. While he has energized progressives, Mamdani has also created discontent among moderate Democrats who worry that his socialist platform could undermine the party’s appeal in the general election race.
A Divisive Primary and a Crowded Field
Mamdani had already made history by defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, a huge upset that changed the dynamics of the mayoral race. Cuomo, who is attempting a political comeback after stepping down from office in 2021, was seen as one of the toughest contenders but was ultimately overwhelmed by Mamdani’s energetic base and grassroots organizing.
The general election is shaping up to be highly contested, with Mamdani facing not only Cuomo, who has decided to remain in the race as an independent, but also current New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
The latest polls suggest that Mamdani is holding his own in a multi-candidate race, taking advantage of a divided opposition. However, the polls also suggest that in a one-on-one race against Cuomo, the former governor could regain the upper hand, indicating doubts about Mamdani’s ability to unite a broad coalition of voters.
A Cautious Endorsement Signals Broader Tensions
Harris’s cautious response reflects the tightrope Democrats are trying to walk in the current political climate. Outright backing Mamdani could distance themselves from the slow-moving, general support that risks upsetting the party’s progressive wing. Her half-hearted “sure” may have been an effort to strike a middle ground, but it underscored the uncertainty within Democratic circles about Mamdani’s rise.
For Mamdani, the endorsement muted as it has been still carries symbolic weight. Having one of the nation’s most prominent Democrats acknowledge his candidacy gives it a degree of legitimacy, even if the manner in which it is delivered suggests hesitation.
As the race enters its next phase, Mamdani continues to campaign on a progressive platform centered on affordable housing, public transportation reform, and expanding social services. Whether Harris’s lukewarm support will help or hinder his efforts remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The Democratic Party is still struggling to manage its left-leaning voters.
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