Obama Offers Support to Mamdani

Former President Barack Obama told New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani he could be a "sounding board" for the politician in the future, and praised his campaign during a phone call Saturday, according to a report from The New York Times.

Mamdani has shaken the political field in New York City, winning the Democratic nomination over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who's now running as an independent. Mamdani has been leading in the polls over both Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

The state assemblymember has been celebrated by many young progressives as well as endorsed by top Democrats, while criticized by conservatives and some moderates concerned about what the city would look like under his leadership. Democratic lawmakers at the local, state and national levels have backed Mamdani’s campaign, but support among older, establishment members has been cautious and slow, with some party leaders notably not endorsing the candidate.

Obama has not endorsed a candidate in the race but has been vocal in his support of certain measures in the upcoming elections, publicly backing California Democrats’ Proposition 50, which would implement their redistricting map. The former president is on the campaign trail in Virginia and New Jersey to speak at rallies for the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, former Representative Abigail Spanberger and Representative Mikie Sherrill, respectively.

On Saturday, Obama called Mamdani and they spoke for about 30 minutes, two people familiar with the matter told the Times. It would mark the second reported phone call between the two, with Obama having called Mamdani in June after the Democratic primary.

The former Democratic president reportedly said he was invested in Mamdani's success and spoke about early challenges of staffing a new administration and working to achieve platform pledges, such as Mamdani's affordability agenda.

“Your campaign has been impressive to watch,” Obama reportedly said to Mamdani. The 34-year-old has drawn national attention for his social media savvy campaign and voter outreach methods. The former president also reportedly offered to be a "sounding board" to Mamdani if needed, and the two spoke about potential plans to meet in person some day, although no details were provided.

Mamdani reportedly thanked Obama for the call.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters this week on the topic of if he will vote for Mamdani: "We're continuing to talk."

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said in an October 28 memo: "[House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement of Zohran Mamdani confirms what NRCC polling and research already showed: the Democratic Party has been hijacked by the radical left. Mamdani is a socialist hostile to America, supports an agenda ripped directly from the pages of the Communist Manifesto, is openly anti-police, and is funded by groups with ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas. His platform, defunding police, raising taxes, and embracing socialism, is out of step with what the American people want and need."

Patrick Gaspard, an adviser to Mamdani who had also served as political director on Obama’s 2008 campaign and in his White House, told the Times earlier this week: "The fact that he [Obama] placed that phone call to us [Mamdani]—and then the news of that call making its way into the world—was a very important signaler to many in the political establishment, the business establishment, to average voters that helped credential Zohran Mamdani."

New York Attorney General Letitia said in an X post on Saturday: "It was great to join @ZohranKMamdani in Brooklyn today for service at Hanson Place SDA Church. This is the last weekend to vote early before Election Day, New York! Get out and vote and let’s make @ZohranKMamdani the next Mayor of New York City!"

Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo said in an X post on November 1: "The gap is closing fast -- we can feel it on the ground everywhere from the Bronx to Staten Island. At this rate, we win the race. Keep going strong"

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa said in an October 31 X post: "Two names, one mask: Mamdani = Cuomo. New Yorkers know this. Vote Curtis Sliwa and end the horror show."

Early in-person voting is already underway in New York City, with election day on Tuesday, November 4.