New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been holding private discussions with left-leaning labor leaders while encouraging a progressive contender to consider a 2028 presidential campaign, according to a report.
The Democratic Socialist, who is ineligible to become president because he was born in Uganda, is looking to build on the progressive movement’s expected momentum following the midterm elections. People familiar with the mayor’s thinking told Axios that he hopes to assemble a far-left coalition capable of challenging more moderate Democratic candidates.
“He wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently if a moderate candidate is clearly on the rise,” one source who spoke with Mamdani told the outlet.
The source compared Mamdani’s approach with former President Barack Obama’s reported efforts to unite Democratic support behind Joe Biden and block Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2020 presidential race.
Mamdani’s organizing effort comes as he has privately acknowledged that he is uncertain whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his close political ally and one of the most prominent young progressives in Congress, will ultimately seek the presidency, Axios reported.
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Ocasio-Cortez has not made a decision publicly. Meanwhile, Mamdani welcomed Jimmy Williams Jr., president of the influential International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, to Gracie Mansion last month for a conversation about the 2028 presidential contest.
During the meeting, the mayor asked Williams what would be necessary to win an endorsement from the union and whether he might be interested in pursuing the presidency himself, according to sources cited by Axios.
Mamdani has also met recently with Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C.W.A., to discuss the 2028 election and other political matters.
He is expected to speak soon with Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers, as he continues building relationships with labor leaders and progressive groups.