NEW YORK – In a spirited gathering on Sunday, Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for mayor of New York City, energized his supporters with notable endorsements from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. As the election approaches its final phase, Mamdani described his campaign as a “movement of the masses” to a lively and enthusiastic crowd.

Mamdani, representing the Democratic Party, addressed the audience at a compact stadium in Queens. Alongside two prominent progressive figures, he positioned his campaign as a challenge to wealthy elites and “oligarchs” who have backed his rivals financially.

“Building a coalition inclusive of every New Yorker is our mission, and that’s exactly what we’re achieving: a formidable force,” Mamdani declared. “This movement was always yours, and it will remain so,” he assured his supporters.

Amidst chants of his name, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitments, including plans to recruit thousands of new teachers, renegotiate city deals, halt rent hikes on the city’s million rent-regulated apartments, expand affordable housing, and ensure universal child care.

With early voting already underway and the official Election Day set for November 4, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, finds himself in a heated contest against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is contending as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who also campaigned in Queens on Sunday.

Cuomo has sought to cast Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblymember, as a naive candidate whose agenda would damage the city. In a radio interview Sunday morning, Cuomo argued that he is the real Democrat in the race while saying Mamdani’s democratic socialism would result in an exodus of residents and businesses.

“The socialists want to take over the Democratic Party. That’s what Bernie Sanders is all about. That’s what AOC is all about,” Cuomo said, adding, “He wins, book airline tickets for Florida now.”

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following a barrage of sexual harassment allegations that he denies. Mamdani has often pressed Cuomo over the allegations, and on Sunday he told the crowd that it is time to leave behind the former governor’s “playbook of the past.” But he urged supporters not to take his lead in the polls for granted and to turn out to vote.

“We cannot allow complacency to infiltrate this movement,” Mamdani said.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have supported his campaign for months including before the Democratic primary in June. On Sunday they cast Mamdani as an antidote to what they called the creeping authoritarianism of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes Queens, said a victory for Mamdani will send a message nationally that a progressive message can prevail.

“It is not a coincidence that the very forces that Zohran is up against in this race mirrors what we are up against nationally … an authoritarian, criminal presidency fueled by corruption and bigotry, and an ascendant right-wing extremist movement,” she said.

Sanders said a Mayor Mamdani would represent “not the billionaire class” but working families.

“In the year 2025, when the people on top have never, ever had so much economic and political power, is it possible for ordinary people, for working class people, to come together and defeat those oligarchs?” Sanders said. “You’re damn right we can.”

Under the slogan “New York Is Not For Sale,” the rally featured rousing speeches from religious and labor leaders along with state elected officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The event was emceed by Sarah Sherman of “Saturday Night Live.”

Mamdani recently received an endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a moderate New York Democrat. Jeffries, in a statement, said he has disagreements with Mamdani but supports him as the nominee, adding that the party should unify against Republicans and Trump.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams abandoned his reelection campaign and endorsed Cuomo.