Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani Rally Support in Queens
During a recent rally in Queens, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) joined mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani (D-N.Y.) to highlight the city’s immigrant heritage and counter negative perceptions of their movement as “insane” or “weird.”
Ocasio-Cortez, a staunch supporter of Mamdani, addressed the crowd on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of diversity and resilience as fundamental aspects of the progressive agenda for New York City.
“This city was built by people from various backgrounds – Irish fleeing famine, Italians escaping fascism, Jews escaping the Holocaust, and Black Americans fleeing slavery and Jim Crow,” she stated, while urging the crowd to appreciate the contributions of diverse communities including Latinos, indigenous peoples, and Asian Americans throughout the city.
Democratic leadership is adapting as figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani gain influence. Recently, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) officially endorsed Mamdani, who promised to be an inclusive mayor for all New Yorkers. This endorsement follows commendations from prominent figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who had previously called Mamdani “the best choice for New York mayor.”
In her remarks, Ocasio-Cortez encouraged voters to stand firm in their convictions, stating, “New York City, we are not crazy. They want us to believe we are outlandish. We are sane.”
Recent voting data indicates strong support for both Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani among Democratic primary voters. A July survey revealed that 68% of participants viewed Mamdani favorably, while 75% had a positive opinion of Ocasio-Cortez. The poll also indicated significant backing among Democrats for policies such as executing an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a key point in Mamdani’s platform.
Mamdani, aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), appears to be gaining traction as public sentiment leans towards socialist ideas. A September survey showed that a majority of Democrats now associate more with socialism than with capitalism, with 74% saying that democratic socialism aligns best with their beliefs.
His rise in politics has not gone unnoticed beyond New York. On HBO’s Real Time last August, host Bill Maher pointed out that although Mamdani has become a significant voice on the left, he and others like Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren often do not appear on his show. Maher noted that he had repeatedly invited them along with high-profile figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, but they consistently declined, in contrast to Republican guests who frequently engage in discussions.
