Few politicians have as much riding on next week’s New York mayoral election as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), aside from the actual candidate himself.
Progressives in New York are rallying behind Zoran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist who has secured the Democratic Party’s nomination and is currently leading in the polls.
Ocasio-Cortez is considering a Senate run and even a presidential bid in 2028. Democrats suggest that Mamdani’s performance could greatly impact her future aspirations—either providing a significant boost or posing a hindrance.
“Honestly, she has a lot more at stake than Mamdani, especially with what she’s aiming for,” noted one Democratic strategist. They highlighted that Ocasio-Cortez, at 36, could position herself as a key figure for progressivism as soon as 2028.
“If he wins big, it’s likely she’ll gain from that too. But, on the flip side, if he falters, Republicans will try to tie her to him, which could backfire for her,” the strategist explained.
Conversely, many progressives believe a win for Mamdani would enhance Ocasio-Cortez’s position.
“Right now, as the Democratic Party is trying to rebuild, they need a successful model. For someone like AOC… if Mamdani can prove his ability both as a candidate and a governor, it would be a substantial win for her,” Democratic strategist Joel Payne remarked, using the abbreviation for Ocasio-Cortez. “It’s crucial for folks to demonstrate that their ideas can be effective on a larger scale.”
Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Mamdani before the Democratic primary in June, ahead of other notable New York congress members who initially refrained from backing him. Since then, she has become one of his strongest advocates nearing the crucial end of the campaign.
A recent Suffolk University poll indicates that former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, is closing in on Mamdani’s lead. It shows Mamdani ahead by 10 points (44% to 34%), with Mayor Eric Adams having stepped back from the race. This is a drop from a 20-point margin observed in a September poll.
Another poll by the Manhattan Institute revealed Mamdani leading with 43% among likely voters, while Cuomo garnered 28% and Republican Curtis Sliwa had 19%, with 8% undecided.
This past weekend, Ocasio-Cortez spoke to a crowd of 10,000 alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders at a rally in Queens, emphasizing her support for Mamdani. She characterized him as part of a powerful progressive coalition pushing back against Trump and the Republicans, especially as the Democratic establishment seems to lose some of its strength.
“Donald Trump, I’m talking directly to you,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding, “In just nine short days, we’ll do everything possible to elect Zoran Kwame Mamdani as our city’s next mayor.”
She pointed out that the dynamics of the New York mayoral race reflect broader challenges Democrats are confronting nationally against Trump and his allies.
“It’s not a coincidence that the forces Mamdani is facing echo the national obstacles… an authoritarian and corrupt president, along with a growing right-wing movement,” she remarked.
Since winning the Democratic primary, Mamdani has increasingly become a target for Trump’s rhetoric, particularly as Election Day draws closer. A Mamdani victory would likely see Republicans uniting to associate every Democrat with him.
This suggests the progressive wing feels empowered, evidenced by the rally in Queens and Ocasio-Cortez’s clear positioning as a possible presidential candidate if she decides to enter the race.
After House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally endorsed Mamdani this past week, Republicans quickly highlighted him as emblematic of the Democratic Party.
“Jeffries is now completely aligned with Mamdani’s socialist views,” stated House Minority Leader Steve Scalise. “[Mamdani] is becoming the face of their party. If he becomes mayor, he’ll be dictating terms for the Democrats aiming to raise taxes.”
Recently, President Trump has specifically targeted Ocasio-Cortez. “AOC has a low IQ,” he remarked to reporters on Air Force One, suggesting she should face the same IQ test he took during his time at Walter Reed. “Let’s see AOC versus Trump.”
Some analysts note that Ocasio-Cortez’s connection to Mamdani isn’t just due to her support, but also because they share similar progressive ideologies, focusing on economic equality, affordable housing, and healthcare access. Ocasio-Cortez identifies as a democratic socialist, though last year, the Democratic Socialists of America withdrew their support, citing her reluctance to fully advocate against the Gaza war.
“There are ongoing conversations about the party’s direction; should Mamdani lose, they might think they need to shift back toward moderation,” said Grant Reher, who directs the Campbell Institute for Public Affairs at Syracuse University. “In that scenario, AOC’s influence could diminish.”
On the other hand, if Mamdani prevails, some political operatives believe Ocasio-Cortez would leverage that success.
“Mamdani’s victory could affirm the push for change, highlighting Ocasio-Cortez as a leader moving the party forward,” suggested Basil Smickle, a Democratic strategist and former director of the New York State Democratic Party. “We might see her actively working to create a new Democratic coalition.”
However, skepticism remains among Democratic strategists.
“There’s a lot at stake for him, but the stakes for her are even higher,” said the strategist.
