NEW YORK — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the stakes in the New York City mayor’s race during a rally for contender Zohran Mamdani, framing it as a pivotal moment for the future of the Democratic Party nationally.
She presented the choice as between the ‘gerontocracy’ embodied by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, 67, and the transformative vision represented by Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblymember.
Shifting Paradigms
“This is not just about New York City; it’s about the United States. Andrew Cuomo aims to extend his influence to a national level if victorious, with aspirations for the presidency,” Ocasio-Cortez, 35, declared at Mamdani’s Manhattan event.
While Cuomo has not officially declared his 2028 presidential bid, his intentions to wield national power from the mayor’s office are clear, as he seeks to galvanize Democrats nationwide.
Rejecting the Status Quo
“In a nation yearning to break free from entrenched leadership, to usher in a new era, and to empower a new generation, it would be unthinkable to elevate Andrew Cuomo to Gracie Mansion,” she asserted, referring to the NYC mayoral residence.
Ocasio-Cortez recently endorsed a cohort of five Democratic primary candidates, with Mamdani standing out as her primary choice under the city’s ranked-choice voting system. She highlighted the strategic cross-endorsements between Mamdani and Brad Lander, urging their supporters to reciprocally rank each other second. While acknowledging her support for Zellnor Myrie and Scott Stringer, she omitted mention of Adrienne Adams, her secondary endorsement.
Standing Against Injustice
“Omitting Andrew Cuomo from your ranking is an act of solidarity with survivors of sexual harassment,” she emphasized, alluding to Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 following allegations of misconduct, which he denies.
She underscored the necessity to break away from past Democratic failings to forge a progressive path forward and cautioned against perpetuating a cycle that led to the current political landscape.
The rally at Terminal 5, uniting over 2,500 attendees, marked the kickoff of early voting for the June 24 primary. Notable speakers included Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen and state Sen. John Liu, with The Kid Mero serving as emcee.
Mamdani painted the race as transcending local concerns, heralding a potential victory with far-reaching implications.
A Historic Movement
“Our triumph will reverberate across the nation and the globe,” he proclaimed. “This victory will be historic, not just because of my background as a Muslim immigrant and ardent democratic socialist, but for our commitment to making this city accessible to all.”
Despite polls favoring Cuomo, Mamdani remains a competitive contender. However, his rising profile has attracted substantial opposition funding, primarily from business and real estate sectors opposing his progressive agenda.
Responding to smear campaigns, Mamdani urged his supporters to actively counter the negative narratives, rallying them against the influence of money in politics.
“This election transcends our city’s future; it embodies the essence of our democracy, challenging the sway of billionaires and corporations over our electoral process,” he asserted. “Our collective movement surpasses financial power with grassroots strength.”
