Mamdani makes behind-the-scenes moves to shape 2028 Democratic presidential race
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is quietly working towards a new goal: to become a progressive kingmaker in the burgeoning battle for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.The socialist mayor of the nation's most populous city, who can't run for president himself because he's not a natural-born U.S.citizen, has been meeting behind closed doors with labor leaders to highlight the need for a union-aligned or left-wing candidate to seek the presidency.The mayor's moves come as he's reportedly said he's uncertain whether progressive champion Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, his close political ally, will run for the White House.According to Axios, which was first to report the news, Mamdani is concerned that if Ocasio-Cortez stays out of the 2028 race, it could leave progressives without a standard-bearer to face off against a more centrist presidential frontrunner in the primary battle.WILL TRUMP SIT OUT MAKING A 2028 ENDORSEMENT IN THE RACE TO SUCCEED HIM?Then-New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani holds hands with Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the end of a campaign rally in Queens on Oct.
26, 2025.(Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)Mamdani, who is seen as a major powerbroker for the left wing of the Democratic Party after his historic 2025 mayoral election victory, argues that the progressive movement can't waste its momentum coming out of last week's trouncing of Republicans in the midterm elections, as Democrats won a massive House majority and control of the Senate.A source familiar with Mamdani's 2028 conversations told Axios the mayor "wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently if a moderate candidate is clearly on the rise,"Â Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez is publicly pumping the brakes on speculation she'll launch a presidential campaign or bid for the Senate in New York, even as a newly formed group of activists is urging her run for the White House.VANCE, CRUZ, DESANTIS DIAGNOSE GOP'S MIDTERM ...