Queens Senator Liu Endorses Mamdani Despite Israel Disagreement NYC Mayor Race

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a Queens state assembly member and pro-Palestinian activist, has received key endorsements in his bid for New York City mayor, notably from progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Queens State Senator John Liu. Ocasio-Cortez ranked Mamdani first on her ranked-choice voting slate, highlighting his grassroots coalition-building and progressive platform focused on affordability, such as free city buses and rent freezes. Despite Mamdani polling second behind former Governor Andrew Cuomo, his campaign faces scrutiny over his refusal to explicitly acknowledge Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, a stance that has caused controversy among Jewish voters and within the Democratic primary electorate. Liu, who is pro-Israel, endorsed Mamdani despite their