Kamala Harris Backs Zohran Mamdani – Tepidly

NEW YORK, NY – Kamala Harris has offered an endorsement of Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s mayoral race – in a guarded way. On September 22, she told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that she would back the Democratic nominee but stopped short of a full-throated show of support.

“Look, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported,” Harris said during the interview, which coincided with the launch of her new book ‘107 Days.’ Pressed on whether that amounted to an endorsement, the former vice president replied, “I support the Democrat in the race, sure.”

Other than New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Harris is the highest-profile Democrat yet to line up behind the far-left lawmaker, other party leaders remain on the sidelines. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have both declined to say whether they will endorse him, and state party chair Jay Jacobs has flatly refused.

Harris meanwhile went on to caution viewers not to view Mamdani as the sole focus of Democratic politics. “He’s not the only star…there are people like Barbara Drummond in Mobile, Alabama, and Helena Moreno in New Orleans. They’re all running for mayor, too, and they are stars,” she said.

Her carefully measured remarks highlight the unease within the Democratic Party over Mamdani’s candidacy.