Zohran Mamdani endorsed for NYC mayor by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor in the Bronx on Wednesday. Credit: Ed Quinn
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, was endorsed Wednesday by the state Assembly speaker, Carl Heastie, who also boosted the candidate's push to tax the rich to fund expanded social programs.
In adding himself as yet another backer to a growing list of Mamdani supporters, Heastie made the endorsement at an event outside a YMCA in the Bronx, days after Gov. Kathy Hochul said Mamdani was her choice for mayor.
The endorsements arrive nearly three months after Mamdani, 33, an Astoria assemblyman, stunned the political establishment by trouncing former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the front-runner in the June 24 Democratic primary, by nearly 13 percentage points.
At Wednesday's endorsement announcement, Heastie said he’d been particularly impressed by Mamdani’s policy focus on making the city more affordable.
"Zohran’s message has really translated into people’s consciences," Heastie said, explaining he's particularly supportive of Mamdani’s proposals for free buses and free universal child care.
Heastie did not explicitly promise that Mamdani’s millionaire’s tax — which the state would need to approve — would be enacted but noted it's a popular proposal and suggested the rich should pay their fair share.
"Millionaire taxes poll extremely well," Heastie said, adding: "We're just in the Assembly; we're just one leg of the tripod. Of course, the governor's opinion matters, and the Senate's opinion matters. But I do think there will be a robust discussion on revenue raises next year."
Asked why it took months for the endorsement, Heastie said: "I don’t really endorse a lot."
It’s unusual for leaders of a political party to not immediately endorse the winner of a party’s primary, particularly one who achieved a commanding victory.
Still withholding endorsements are the state’s two U.S. senators, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and Kirsten Gillibrand. That list also includes Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader from Brooklyn.
Particularly troubling for those Democrats: Mamdani’s support for the Palestinian cause and his criticism of Israel.
The issue had manifested during discussions between Mamdani and Heastie, according to The New York Times, which reported that, after consulting with some Jewish lawmakers, Heastie told Mamdani he had to do more to appease those colleagues over his Israel criticism.
Jay Jacobs, the state and Nassau Democratic Party boss, has not endorsed Mamdani. He declined to comment Wednesday afternoon, but said he would explain in a forthcoming prepared statement.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
