NEW YORK (AP) — As the New York mayoral race intensifies, candidate Zohran Mamdani rallied his supporters on Sunday with the backing of influential figures like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Mamdani described his campaign as a “movement of the masses” as he enters the campaign’s critical final phase.

The Democratic nominee took to the stage at a modest stadium in Queens, where he and two prominent progressives framed his bid as a challenge to the wealthy elite and “oligarchs” aligning against him. They emphasized the importance of his candidacy in confronting these powerful opponents.

Mamdani proclaimed, “When you strive to build a coalition inclusive of every New Yorker, you forge an unstoppable force.” He assured the audience, “This has always been your movement and will forever remain so.”

Amid chants of his name, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitment to key policies, including hiring thousands of teachers, renegotiating city contracts, freezing rent hikes for the city’s million rent-controlled apartments, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring universal child care.

As early voting commenced, with the election slated for Nov. 4, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, finds himself in a fiercely competitive race. He contends against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican 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.