Obama Praises Mayoral Frontrunner Zohran Mamdani in Private Call
Former President Barack Obama placed a private phone call to mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Saturday, just days before New York City voters head to the polls. According to The New York Times, Mr. Obama described Mr. Mamdani’s campaign as “impressive to watch” and offered to serve as a “sounding board.” The conversation reportedly lasted about 30 minutes and touched on post-election staffing and how to implement an affordability agenda.
Where the race stands
Zohran Mamdani, 34, surged to prominence after upsetting former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June and has since been widely regarded as the frontrunner. Mr. Cuomo is running as an independent in the general election, and Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, is the Republican nominee. Recent polls showed Mr. Mamdani maintaining a lead, though some surveys narrowed his advantage in the final days.
Endorsements, strategy and turnout
Despite strong grassroots momentum — including a viral social-media presence and reported volunteer outreach — Mr. Mamdani has been slow to secure endorsements from several establishment Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally endorsed him on Oct. 24 after a period of hesitation. Early returns suggested turnout could be the highest for a city mayoral election in decades, a factor both campaigns have emphasized.
Policy platform and controversies
Mr. Mamdani’s flagship proposals include higher taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents, an increase in corporate tax, and measures to expand affordable housing such as freezing rents on some stabilized apartments. He has energized younger voters through high-profile grassroots efforts, including a walk across Manhattan to meet residents and an extensive volunteer door-to-door program.
At the same time, he has faced controversy for past remarks, including comments about 9/11 that drew criticism, a 2023 comparison of the New York Police Department to the Israel Defence Forces, and for declining to explicitly condemn the slogan "globalise the intifada," which many critics view as endorsing violence. Mr. Mamdani has described himself as a vocal critic of Israeli government policy and has spoken publicly about his experience with Islamophobia while campaigning at mosques across the city.
National attention and reactions
The race has drawn national attention and sharp commentary. Former President Donald Trump labeled Mr. Mamdani a "communist" and warned of deploying troops to the city if he were to win; Republican strategists have pledged to make Mr. Mamdani a national target. Mr. Obama, meanwhile, campaigned in neighboring New Jersey on Saturday evening on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill and used his appearance to criticize the Trump administration, saying in part:
"It’s hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and recklessness and mean-spiritedness and just plain craziness… I mean, it’s like every day is Halloween, except it’s all tricks and no treats."
Patrick Gaspard, an adviser to Mr. Mamdani and a former Obama aide, said a similar call took place in late June and that Mr. Obama initiated it "unsolicited" and "unprompted." With polls tightening in some quarters and turnout expected to be strong, both campaigns urged supporters not to be complacent as Election Day approached.
