Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, received the backing of significant party figures this week as Democrats grow increasingly concerned about President Trump’s efforts to meddle in the race.
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Representative Pat Ryan of New York offered Mr. Mamdani, a state assemblyman and democratic socialist, their formal endorsement. Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, and Representative Ritchie Torres, two moderate Democrats with close ties to the Jewish leaders who are skeptical of Mr. Mamdani, praised his potential to effectively lead the city.
Top Democrats have treaded cautiously for months after Mr. Mamdani’s decisive primary victory in June over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, waiting weeks to even meet with their party’s nominee. The New York Democrats who have so far declined to endorse his bid are notable in their absence from his camp: Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader; Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Now, publicly and privately, Democrats across the ideological spectrum are arguing that it is important for their leaders to forcefully reject Mr. Trump’s apparent interest in tipping the race toward Mr. Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
“In these times, the Democratic Party needs to stick together with the maximum solidarity and focus,” Mr. Raskin, who has taken a leading role in the party’s efforts to oppose Mr. Trump, said in an interview. “Even though I’m not a New Yorker and have never been a New Yorker, I feel that Democrats must stand together to defend not only our party but our constitution and our country.”
Mr. Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, praised Mr. Mamdani as a “significant and inspiring leader.”
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The post Mamdani Gets Backing From National Democrats as Trump Enters Fray appeared first on New York Times.
