Bernie Bro Anointed: Sanders Endorsement of Mamdani Could Be Game-Changer in Tightening NYC Mayoral Race
- The next week will determine whether progressive star power can overcome establishment politics in America's largest city.
Sen. Bernie Sanders’ unprecedented endorsement of Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary arrives at a critical moment when the race has dramatically tightened, potentially providing the final push needed to overcome former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s lead.
The timing of Sanders’ endorsement, just one week before the June 24 primary, comes as polling shows a remarkably close contest. This marks Sanders’ first-ever endorsement in a NYC mayoral primary, signaling the national progressive movement’s investment in this local race.
Recent polling data reveals a race that has fundamentally shifted in recent months. While Cuomo maintained substantial leads earlier in the year—with Data for Progress showing him at 39% to Mamdani’s 15% in March—the gap has narrowed dramatically. The most recent Emerson College poll from late May shows Cuomo leading with just 35% in the first round, with a final ranked-choice voting simulation giving him 54% to Mamdani’s 46%. Even more striking, a Public Policy Polling survey released just five days ago shows Mamdani ahead for the first time, leading 35% to 31%—though this is within the margin of error.
AOC Endorsement: Unprecedented Progressive Coalition
Sanders’ endorsement, following Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s backing, creates an unprecedented progressive coalition behind Mamdani. As the New York Times reports, Sanders praised Mamdani’s “inspirational” campaign and called him a “visionary” leader, specifically highlighting his plan to tax the wealthy. The Vermont senator framed the race in national terms, stating it presents “a clear choice” between “corporate-dominated politics driven by billionaires” and a “grass-roots movement fueled by everyday people.”
The endorsement also provides important validation against attacks portraying Mamdani as too “radical.”
This dual endorsement addresses one of Mamdani’s key challenges: consolidating the progressive vote. Earlier polling suggested Mamdani was “capped at less than 40%” with other progressive candidates potentially splitting his support, according to pollster Pat Honan. However, Mamdani has moved strategically to address this through cross-endorsements with City Comptroller Brad Lander and former Assemblyman Michael Blake, designed to maximize ranked-choice voting benefits.
Cuomo’s Vulnerabilities
Despite his polling lead, Cuomo faces significant headwinds that could amplify the impact of progressive endorsements. Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization of him as part of the nation’s political “gerontocracy” and her statement that it would be “unconscionable” for him to become mayor given his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations resonates with voters seeking change.
The generational contrast is stark: Cuomo at 67 versus Mamdani at 33. More significantly, Mamdani’s campaign has successfully positioned itself as the grassroots alternative to Cuomo’s establishment support and wealthy donor base. While Cuomo has secured endorsements from major unions and elected officials, plus late support from Orthodox Jewish groups, Mamdani claims to have “the strongest army of volunteers.”
Sanders’ influence with New York progressives cannot be understated. Mamdani’s statement calling Sanders “the single most influential political figure in my life” reflects the broader progressive movement’s reverence for the Vermont senator. Sanders’ Brooklyn roots add local credibility to his endorsement.
The endorsement also provides important validation against attacks portraying Mamdani as too “radical.” A Cuomo-supporting super PAC has been running advertisements with this exact message. Sanders’ mainstream progressive credibility could help neutralize these attacks and reassure moderate voters concerned about Mamdani’s socialist positions.
Ranked-Choice Dynamics
New York City’s ranked-choice voting system creates additional complexity that could benefit Mamdani. The Emerson poll showing Cuomo winning 54% to 46% in the final round indicates that while Cuomo starts with more first-choice support, Mamdani gains significantly as other candidates are eliminated. The Sanders endorsement could accelerate this dynamic by encouraging supporters of eliminated progressive candidates to rank Mamdani higher.
While Cuomo remains the favorite based on most polling, Sanders’ endorsement provides Mamdani with a realistic path to victory. The race has tightened considerably, with some polls now showing Mamdani ahead. The combination of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez endorsements creates momentum that could consolidate progressive support and attract moderate voters seeking change.
Several factors support this assessment: Mamdani’s strong ground game and volunteer operation could prove decisive in a lower-turnout primary; the ranked-choice voting system favors candidates with broad second and third-choice support; and Cuomo’s vulnerabilities regarding his past scandals and age may resonate more strongly in the final week.
However, Cuomo’s institutional support, name recognition, and polling lead—while diminished—remain significant advantages. The Sanders endorsement alone is unlikely to guarantee Mamdani victory, but it provides crucial momentum at exactly the right moment.
The next week will determine whether progressive star power can overcome establishment politics in America’s largest city. Sanders’ unprecedented involvement suggests national progressives view this race as a test case for their movement’s viability in major Democratic primaries.
Sources: New York Post, New York Times, Emerson College Polling, Public Policy Polling, Data for Progress, Marist Poll, amNewYork, The American Prospect