Obama And Mamdani Speak By Phone
Former President Barack Obama spoke with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Saturday, days before Tuesday’s general election.
The call between Obama and the democratic socialist leader comes as several prominent Democrats have kept their distance from Mamdani’s campaign. A source close to the conversation confirmed the call to CBS News.
“President Obama’s words of support” were appreciated, a Mamdani campaign spokeswoman said in a statement. The two men discussed “the importance of introducing a new type of politics to our city.”
Mamdani, 34, won the June Democratic primary against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, now an independent candidate. Republican Curtis Sliwa completes the general election ballot. (RELATED: Andrew Cuomo Warns Stephen A. Smith That Zohran Mamdani’s Victory ‘Would Be the Death of the Democratic Party’)
Breaking News: Former President Barack Obama, who has not endorsed any candidate for New York City mayor, called Zohran Mamdani and praised his campaign. https://t.co/anY8uu9VV0
– The New York Times (@nytimes) November 1, 2025
The National Democrats approached Mamdani with caution. The leader of the parliamentary minority, Hakeem Jeffries, waited until October 24 to support him. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who both represent New York state in the U.S. Senate, have not endorsed anyone in the race.
Some Democrats openly oppose Mamdani. Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York endorsed Cuomo last month. “I am a democratic capitalist, not a democratic socialist. I support Andrew Cuomo. I cannot support an avowed socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America,” Suozzi said on social media.
Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy of New York also supports Cuomo despite past conflicts with the former governor. “He would be a much better choice for the people of New York than Zohran Mamdani,” Langworthy told the outlet.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont campaigned for Mamdani last week alongside Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Sanders called Mamdani’s potential victory an inspiration “to people across our country and around the world.”
The race could impact the 2026 midterm elections, as Republicans defend their narrow majority in the House.
