Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio officially endorsed democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor, signaling his support for a progressive vision to counter the Trump-era policies. This announcement has sparked significant debate within New York’s Democratic Party, as Mamdani’s radical plans for affordability, including rent freezes and free childcare, face skepticism from some party leaders.
De Blasio, who spent over a decade leading New York City, argued that Mamdani’s commitment to addressing the city’s affordability crisis is essential. In an article for the New York Daily News, the former mayor emphasized that the city must not allow its residents to be priced out, stating, “We need him because in his heart and in his bones he cannot accept a city that prices out the people who built it and keep it running.”
Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary has highlighted a split in the party’s leadership, with figures such as Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck Schumer yet to endorse him. Despite these divisions, de Blasio expressed confidence in Mamdani’s ability to deliver on his promises, citing his own record of implementing similar policies in the past, including rent freezes for rent-stabilized apartments and expanding childcare access.
Meanwhile, opposition to Mamdani’s vision has come from both within and outside the Democratic Party. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa criticized de Blasio’s legacy as ‘nearly destroying NYC’ and warned that Mamdani could be ‘de Blasio 2.0’ but even more dangerous. De Blasio, however, dismissed these concerns, recalling facing similar criticisms during his tenure, including for his policies on affordable housing and pre-K for all.
The former mayor’s endorsement has also raised questions about the future of the mayoral race, especially as Mamdani’s radical proposals continue to divide Democrats. With de Blasio’s support, Mamdani now faces the challenge of securing broader party backing while addressing concerns about the feasibility of his plans. As de Blasio stated, the city must now ‘go even further’ with Mamdani as mayor, aiming to provide a stark contrast to the policies of the previous administration.