Will the Democratic establishment fall in line behind Zohran Mamdani?

This column originally appeared in The Politics Brief, our weekly newsletter on the people, power and policies that shape New Yorkers' lives.

Sign up to get the full version where you can ask questions, share news tips and weigh in on the conversation. Hits inboxes on Wednesdays.

Zohran Mamdani took on the Democratic establishment and won.

Now, the 33-year-old state assemblymember’s campaign faces a big question: Will the traditional Democratic Party leaders fall in line behind him?

Mamdani energized New York City’s young voters en route to an apparent victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary, overcoming a barrage of negative ads funded by deep-pocketed Cuomo supporters who failed to stop Mamdani’s momentum.

The historic upset kick-started a national conversation about whether the Democratic Party’s future should look more like Mamdani — an unapologetically progressive Muslim multicultural immigrant — or the scandal-scarred moderate he defeated.

It also marked a rebuke of major establishment Democrats — including former President Bill Clinton and former Mayor Mike Bloomberg – who cited Cuomo’s extensive government experience while endorsing his campaign, as well as the New York Times editorial board, which argued Mamdani’s agenda is “uniquely unsuited to the city’s challenges.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Brooklyn Democrat, praised Mamdani’s grassroots campaign in the hours following the state assemblymember’s big win. But both of them remained neutral in the primary race. And neither offered Mamdani a full-throated endorsement by Wednesday morning.

Instead, Hochul and Jeffries honed in on the central tenet of Mamdani’s campaign — making New York more affordable — without backing the proposals he’s put forward, like making MTA buses free and freezing the rent in stabilized units.

“I look forward to speaking with [Mamdani] in the days ahead about his ideas on how to ensure a safe, affordable and livable New York City,” Hochul said in a statement.

During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Jeffries said it’s clear that Mamdani’s “relentless focus on affordability had great appeal all across the city of New York.” But he deflected when asked whether House Democratic candidates should adopt Mamdani’s ideology on the campaign trail.

Jeffries wrote on X he plans to meet Mamdani in Central Brooklyn “shortly.”

Another top New York Democrat, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also remained neutral in the primary. On Wednesday, Schumer said on X that he spoke with Mamdani and planned on meeting with him soon.

“He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness and opportunity,” Schumer said.

Hochul is up for re-election in 2026. So are all members of the House of Representatives — an election that will determine whether Jeffries becomes speaker. And Republicans are already trying to tie them both to Mamdani, all while painting the mayoral candidate’s vocal criticism of Israel as antisemitic and blasting his platform as extreme.

“A radical, antisemitic socialist was just elected to be the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City — and Kathy Hochul didn’t lift a finger to stop it from happening,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican deciding between a re-election bid and a gubernatorial run.

J.C. Polanco, associate professor at the University of Mount St. Vincent and a longtime political observer, said Mamdani’s win could help Republicans nationally.

“He automatically becomes the new boogeyman,” he said. “If you’re a Republican in a purple district, you have your new piñata.”

One Democratic Party leader who voiced support for Mamdani following his victory was Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who was one of Cuomo’s most vocal supporters throughout his campaign.

Mamdani went on to defeat Cuomo by 17 percentage points in Brooklyn. And late Tuesday, Bichotte Hermelyn made clear she’s backing Mamdani in the general election.

For his part, Mamdani says he’s out to prove the coalition of supporters that lifted him to victory can get the job done.

“I’m excited to continue to grow that coalition as the Democratic nominee for this city’s mayoralty and to show that this is the coalition that will deliver on the most pressing crisis in this city, which is that of affordability,” he said Wednesday on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show.”

In his victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted the city under his leadership to be a “model for the Democratic Party.”

Includes reporting by Jimmy Vielkind.

Listen

We want to hear from you

This week we're wondering: What does Zohran Mamdani's Democratic primary win mean to you?

We'll share responses in next week's newsletter. (Sign up!)

This week in New York politics

With Zohran Mamdani on the verge of a historic victory as the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, here’s what’s next.

Mamdani came on “The Brian Lehrer Show” after his big night. Listen here.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine also had wins in yesterday’s election.

New York City leaders dropped their fight to turn the Elizabeth Street Garden into affordable senior housing. Here’s why.

Environmental advocates thought this might be the year New York would pass large-scale, affordable environmental policies. It wasn’t. Here are the bills the state Assembly passed on.

The state Assembly did, however, pass a bill requiring social media platforms to add warning labels. Here’s what it’ll mean.

Lawmakers also approved a measure to prevent mayors across New York from “bumping” proposals off local ballots. Here’s why Mayor Eric Adams is pushing back.

The transgender pride flag won’t be part of this year’s Pride display at the national park near the Stonewall Inn. Here’s why.

Mayor Adams hasn’t followed through on his promise to install hundreds of secure bike parking lockers across the city. Here’s what happened.