Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Backs Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s Progressive Battle Against Cuomo

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a pivotal move in the New York City mayoral race on Thursday, endorsing Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani as her top choice for mayor, marking a significant moment in the Democratic primary just days before early voting begins on June 14.

The endorsement was announced Thursday morning, following the first Democratic mayoral debate held Wednesday night, as reported by ABC7 New York. The timing appears strategic, coming at a crucial juncture when early voting is set to commence and Mamdani has been gaining momentum in his grassroots campaign according to amNewYork.

The endorsement had been highly anticipated following reports that Ocasio-Cortez had met with both Mamdani and City Comptroller Brad Lander in recent weeks, as confirmed by the Bronx Times and Yahoo News. This deliberative approach mirrors her methodical consideration of candidates before making public endorsements.

AOC’s Full Ranked-Choice Strategy

Rather than simply endorsing Mamdani alone, Ocasio-Cortez announced a complete ranked-choice voting slate that reflects a coordinated progressive strategy. According to multiple sources including ABC7 and the New York Post, her rankings are:

1. Zohran Mamdani (Assembly Member, Queens)
2. Adrienne Adams (City Council Speaker)
3. Brad Lander (City Comptroller)
4. Scott Stringer (Former City Comptroller)
5. Zellnor Myrie (State Senator)

This strategic ranking system demonstrates AOC’s understanding of New York City’s ranked-choice voting mechanism and her commitment to building a progressive coalition capable of defeating Andrew Cuomo.

The endorsement represents more than individual candidate support—it signals the consolidation of progressive forces against former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s political comeback attempt. As The Hill reported, Ocasio-Cortez previously told CNN she would not support Cuomo’s candidacy, making her opposition clear.

Recent polling data shows the race’s competitive nature, with an Emerson College survey showing Cuomo leading with 35 percent while Mamdani holds second place with 23 percent. This 12-point gap suggests the race remains competitive, particularly with ranked-choice voting potentially benefiting candidates with strong second and third-choice support.

Mamdani’s Campaign Momentum

Mamdani’s response directly invoked AOC’s 2018 victory, stating: “In 2018, AOC shocked the world and changed our politics for the better with her historic victory. On June 24, we will do the same”, as reported by amNewYork. This parallel draws an explicit connection between his insurgent campaign and Ocasio-Cortez’s own upset victory over established Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley.

The 33-year-old Assembly Member has been building what THE CITY describes as a volunteer army of 29,000 door-knockers, demonstrating the grassroots organizing strength that characterized AOC’s own successful campaigns.

This endorsement carries particular weight given AOC’s national progressive profile and her proven ability to mobilize young, diverse voters. Mamdani has already secured endorsements from six socialist lawmakers including state Senators Jabari Brisport and Kristen Gonzalez, according to City & State New York, and the Working Families Party recently ranked him as their top choice, as reported by NBC New York.

The endorsement strategy appears designed to maximize progressive voter turnout while providing clear guidance for ranked-choice selections that could prevent vote-splitting among like-minded candidates.

AOC’s mayoral endorsement history provides important context. In 2021, she endorsed Maya Wiley, another progressive candidate, in what ultimately became a losing effort against Eric Adams. This time, her earlier and more comprehensive endorsement strategy suggests lessons learned from that experience.

The current race takes place against a dramatically different backdrop, with Adams facing federal corruption charges and running as an independent, creating space for both progressive and moderate Democratic candidates to compete for the party’s nomination.

Looking Toward June 24

With early voting beginning June 14 and the primary scheduled for June 24, AOC’s endorsement provides Mamdani with crucial momentum at a decisive moment. The ranked-choice voting system means that even if no candidate achieves an outright majority, second and third-choice preferences could determine the winner—making AOC’s full slate potentially more impactful than a single endorsement.

The Democratic primary winner will be heavily favored in the general election, given New York City’s Democratic voter registration advantage, making this primary contest effectively decisive for the city’s next mayor.

This endorsement represents a high-stakes gamble for both AOC and the broader progressive movement, testing whether the grassroots energy that propelled Ocasio-Cortez to Congress can translate to citywide success in America’s largest city.