In a striking display of progressive unity, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez welcomed Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who recently clinched the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, to Washington, D.C., for a key organizing event.
According to Fox News, the event, held on Wednesday, highlighted Mamdani's rising prominence among progressive Democrats while exposing ongoing divisions within the party as he seeks broader support ahead of the November election.
Last month, Mamdani secured a significant victory by winning the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. At 33 years old, he has positioned himself as a democratic socialist, advocating for policies focused on affordability and community needs. If elected in November, he would make history as the city's first Muslim mayor.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive from New York, endorsed Mamdani early in his campaign. She actively supported him on the ground in New York City before his primary win. On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez confirmed plans for a joint event with Mamdani in the nation's capital.
The duo hosted a "Communication and Organizing Skillshare Breakfast" on Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C. Originally set for 8 a.m. at the National Democratic Club, the event was relocated just before starting to a nearby restaurant. The Democratic National Committee clarified it had no involvement with the gathering, despite its proximity to their headquarters.
Several prominent Democrats attended the breakfast, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, a longtime New York politician who has endorsed Mamdani. Other attendees included Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington State, Ro Khanna of California, Nydia Velázquez of New York, Luz Rivas of California, and Debbie Dingell of Michigan. Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida also planned to join, expressing interest in learning about digital campaign strategies despite policy differences with Mamdani.
Feedback from attendees was largely positive, with Rep. Jayapal describing Mamdani as "inspiring" after the meeting. Rep. Khanna called him "very impressive," while Rep. Velázquez praised his authenticity, saying, "It’s just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic, you know, that money cannot buy that." Rep. Rivas noted the focus was on how Mamdani conveyed his message, rather than specific policy details.
Despite the warm reception from some, Mamdani has yet to secure endorsements from key New York Democratic leaders like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer. On Tuesday, Mamdani expressed enthusiasm about meeting with both leaders, stating, "I'm excited to go to Washington, D.C., to speak with Congressman Jeffries, to speak with Senator Schumer, to speak with leaders of our party across the country." While no meetings occurred during the breakfast event, discussions are planned, with Schumer confirming a conversation the night before and a future meeting in New York City.
Rep. Jeffries also noted a scheduled meeting with Mamdani later in the week in Brooklyn, saying on Monday, "I'm scheduled to meet with the Democratic nominee at the end of the week back home in Brooklyn." Rep. Nadler, who supports Mamdani, expressed optimism about eventual endorsements from Jeffries and Schumer, stating, "I would assume so in time." Additionally, Rep. Adriano Espaillat endorsed Mamdani last week after initially backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the importance of cohesion, saying on Tuesday, "Democrats are stronger when we are united." She also reiterated her support, stating, "Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, and as a Democrat, I am rallying behind our nominee." She further added, "I think a lot of people just need to get to know folks before they issue an endorsement."
Not all Democrats are on board, as Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate from New York, has openly opposed Mamdani's campaign and did not attend the breakfast. This resistance reflects broader tensions within the party between progressive and centrist factions. Last month, New York Democrats congratulated Mamdani on his nomination and confirmed ongoing talks with him.
On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are seizing the opportunity to criticize Mamdani, attempting to link him to Democrats in competitive races for this year and next year's midterms. The National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement saying, "Radical socialist Zohran Mamdani isn’t just the future of the Democrat Party, he is the Democrat Party." RNC Chair Michael Whatley also commented in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting, "This is the face of the new Democratic Party."
President Donald Trump weighed in, calling Mamdani a "Communist" and questioning the country's readiness for such leadership. Trump also suggested that Cuomo, now running as an independent after announcing his continued candidacy on Monday, has a strong chance, stating, "Cuomo has a shot." In response, Mamdani campaign spokesperson Jeffrey Lerner quipped on Tuesday, "We would like to congratulate Andrew Cuomo on earning Donald Trump’s endorsement."
During breakfast, Mamdani concentrated on campaign themes like affordability, steering clear of specific far-left proposals. His approach appeared to resonate with attendees interested in his communication strategies. As the November election approaches, Mamdani's ability to bridge party divides while countering Republican attacks will be crucial to his historic bid for mayor.