NYC Mayoral Front-Runner Mamdani Meets Congressional Democrats in Washington

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner for New York City mayor, met with progressive lawmakers in Washington D.C. at a breakfast hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aiming to unify the party following his upset primary victory over Andrew Cuomo. The meeting, which included Sen. Bernie Sanders and several New York congressional members like Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Jerry Nadler, was seen as a chance for Mamdani to address concerns within the party and build broader support ahead of the general election. While Ocasio-Cortez strongly endorsed Mamdani, key figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to publicly back him, though they plan to meet with him separately. Mamdani's platform includes progressive policies like rent control, free buses, higher taxes on the wealthy, and replacing some police functions with social workers, which has drawn both enthusiasm and opposition within the party. His main general election opponent is incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who faces criticism for ethical investigations and a moderate stance on immigration enforcement. Mamdani’s rise represents a significant shift in New York City politics, prompting debate on the direction of the Democratic Party and its approach to urban governance.