Cuomo, Mamdani host split-screen events, but Lander steals the spotlight

Politico

5 hours ago

NEW YORK — Jockeying for supremacy in the Democratic mayoral primary began early Tuesday with Zohran Mamdani rolling out Sen. Bernie Sanders' breakout endorsement. It ended with all eyes on rival Brad Lander, who was detained by federal immigration officers, prompting his competitors to denounce the arrest.
Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo, who is leading almost all polling in the primary, rallied with hundreds of supporters at a get-out-the-vote drive. That event featured high-octane displays of support from union members, but it didn't come close to the star-power of Mamdani's endorsement or attract anywhere near the attention Lander's arrest earned.
The events unfolding Tuesday highlight how the contest to win the Democratic nomination in this year's mayor's race has become increasingly fluid in the homestretch. While Cuomo still dominates the polls, Mamdani remains a close second, and Lander appears poised to gain ground. It all comes as early voting is underway and the June 24 primary fast approaches.
Mamdani, a state assemblymember from Queens, appeared with volunteers in his immigrant-rich borough on the heels of Sanders' endorsement, which supporters see as a signal of how the race is tightening.
Cuomo, a former governor, was in Manhattan's bustling Union Square packed with union members, some wearing hard hats and others carrying signs bearing their group's insignia. Labor endorsements, including from the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU and the District Council of Carpenters, have made him the undisputed labor candidate of the race.
'I have 650,000 women and men in organized labor, does he?' Cuomo told reporters, taking a jab at Mamdani.
As the two made their respective appearances, Lander quickly cornered the market on the city's attention after he was handcuffed by federal officers while escorting a defendant from immigration court in lower Manhattan. Lander, the city comptroller, made a cross-endorsement agreement with Mamdani last week as the field's progressives seek to siphon support from Cuomo.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is Sanders' first endorsement in a New York City mayoral race since the Vermont senator backed Bill de Blasio's reelection bid in 2017.
'We are exactly where we want to be,' an ebullient Mamdani said Tuesday. 'We have just been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders … who continues to inspire New Yorkers across the five boroughs about the possibility of our democracy being something more than just that which is bought and paid for by Republican billionaires.'
While the nod represents a stamp of approval from a national movement that has focused on working-class struggles, it was Lander who ultimately won the spotlight Tuesday.
Both Mamdani and Cuomo denounced the arrest, as did several back-of-the-pack contenders, including former Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and former state Assemblymember Michael Blake.
Until Tuesday, Cuomo and Mamdani have been locked in what's effectively been a two-way race. Cuomo is seeking a return to power as mayor after being ousted as governor four years ago amid sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. The relatively inexperienced Mamdani is attempting to ride a wave of youthful enthusiasm and promises of affordability to victory. But the city's relatively new ranked-choice voting system could boost other contenders in the race, including Lander, whose momentum picked up Tuesday after his run-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Lander was also recently buoyed by a breakout debate performance and an endorsement by a panel of experts convened by the New York Times.
Cuomo, who's 67, has focused largely on the 33-year-old Mamdani, though. He has sought to contrast himself as a battle-tested manager against the less seasoned state lawmaker. His base of support echoes that of establishment Democrats: older, more moderate with a focus on Black middle- and working-class voters.
He leaned hard on that his union support Tuesday as he looks to fend off a late-cycle surge from Mamdani — and now potentially Lander.
Asked if he believes Sanders' endorsement will move more votes for Mamdani, Cuomo replied simply 'no' and asked for the next question from reporters.
The high-profile nod comes amid Sanders' Fighting Oligarchy tour, which has drawn massive crowds around the nation and marks a departure from the messaging of mainstream Democrats, especially on economic struggles. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely viewed as Sanders' successor in that movement, has enthusiastically endorsed Mamdani as her first choice for mayor.
While Sanders isn't expected to flip undecided voters to Mamdani, he may draw in more progressive voters, including older, white New Yorkers and labor members, political observers said. Sanders' backing of Mamdani was first reported by the New York Times.
'This endorsement, combined with large early vote turnout in progressive bastions such as Park Slope, gives Zohran the jolt he needs to make this a 50-50 toss-up election with Cuomo,' said Democratic strategist Trip Yang, who is not affiliated with any mayoral campaigns.
Yang added that it remains unclear whether Lander's arrest would translate into votes.
'The closer you get to Election Day, the more hardened voters' opinions are,' he said. 'It is really a two-person race.'
That perspective may hold, but it is by no means a certainty.
Lander, who represented Park Slope in Brooklyn as a City Council member, used his arrest to highlight what has emerged as a consistent theme throughout the race: standing up to President Donald Trump, an issue that polls well with Democratic voters in New York City.
'This is a critical time to have a mayor who will stand up to ICE and stand up to Donald Trump and insist on due process and the laws of this city. This is a sanctuary city,' Lander told reporters after being released from detention. 'New Yorkers deserve better in a mayor than Andrew Cuomo.'
Jeff Coltin contributed to this report.