![\"Democratic](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSC_3834.jpg\" "\\"NYC")
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Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.<\/p>\n
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n
Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani<\/a> received the support of US Rep. Adriano Espaillat on Thursday, a sign that the socialist Democratic nominee is beginning to win over the party establishment that has so far been hesitant to embrace him.<\/p>\n Espaillat, who represents Upper Manhattan and a swath of the Bronx in Congress, is among a growing list of lawmakers and organizations who are getting behind Mamdani after backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo\u2019s<\/a> unsuccessful Democratic primary campaign. He was also a close ally of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running against Mamdani as an independent<\/a>, and endorsed Hizzoner in 2021.<\/p>\n The Congress member\u2019s endorsement comes as many establishment Democrats have been slow to jump on board with Mamdani\u2019s City Hall bid, which still must clear a field of general election challengers, including Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent Jim Walden, and possibly Cuomo, who also\u00a0holds an independent ballot line<\/a>.<\/p>\n Espaillat \u2014 a prominent leader in the city\u2019s Latino community \u2014 said in a statement that Mamdani brings \u201cclarity, discipline, and a deep commitment to tackling the stubborn issues facing New York City.\u201d He lauded the Assembly member\u2019s\u00a0laser focus on bringing costs down<\/a> to make the city more livable for working-class New Yorkers.<\/p>\n \u201c[Mamdani] understands our city doesn\u2019t work if everyday New Yorkers \u2014 the very people that keep it moving forward \u2014 can\u2019t afford to live here,\u201d Espaillat said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to endorse him because New Yorkers deserve a mayor who will wake up every day and fight for them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Mamdani won the primary by energizing young voters and disaffected immigrant communities<\/a> around the city. Nonetheless, he has pledged to grow his tent going into the general election to include more centrist and older voters \u2014 something Espaillat\u2019s support could help with.<\/p>\n \u201cCongressman Espaillat has been on the front lines of the fight against Donald Trump\u2019s authoritarian administration,\u201d Mamdani said in a statement. \u201cWe both recognize the only way we can protect our city is by standing firm in our values and standing up for the working-class and immigrant communities who define us. As we expand this coalition for an affordable city to more New Yorkers, it is a profound honor to have the Congressman in our corner.\u201d<\/p>\n Other pols and groupxs who have shifted from supporting Cuomo to Mamdani include Manhattan Democratic Party Chair Keith Wright<\/a>, Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermeylyn, 32BJ SEIU, and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. He has also been backed US Reps. Jerry Nadler \u2014 who supported former Comptroller Scott Stringer in the primary, Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (D-Brooklyn\/Queens), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx\/Queens).<\/p>\n However, many other institutional Democrats, including US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have remained hesitant about supporting Mamdani.\n<\/p>\n![\"Congress](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSC00423-copy-scaled.jpg\" "\\"NYC")
<\/a>Congressman Adriano Espaillat.Photo by Dean Moses<\/p>\n