Former Vice President Kamala Harris stopped short of offering a full endorsement of socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during an appearance on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show.
Her comments came after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) publicly backed Mamdani, raising questions about divisions among prominent Democrats over his candidacy.
When asked directly about Mamdani, Harris responded with restrained support.
“Look, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported,” Harris said.
The remark appeared to signal support but without the forceful endorsement often given to party nominees.
Maddow pressed Harris further, highlighting Mamdani’s rising status in the Democratic Party.
“Do you endorse his candidacy?” Maddow asked.
Harris raised her hands and replied, “I support the Democrat in the race, sure!”
She then moved the conversation away from Mamdani, signaling she did not wish to spend additional time on the subject.
The former vice president pivoted to highlight other Democrats she considered strong candidates in mayoral races across the country.
“He’s not the only star in Democrat politics,” she said.
Harris emphasized her desire to avoid placing all focus on New York, instead pointing to candidates in other regions.
“I know that [Mamdani’s] in New York, and I know New Yorkers think they’re the center of the world,” Harris said, smiling during the interview.
“And here we are in New York having this interview.”
Harris went on to name several candidates she views as notable. “But I mean, there are people like Barbara Drummond in Mobile, Alabama, Helena Moreno in New Orleans.”
“They’re all running for mayor too, and they are stars,” Harris said.
She concluded, “So I hope that we don’t so over-index on New York City that we lose sight of the stars throughout our country, who are right now running for mayor and many other offices …. so, that’s where I am.”
Mamdani, a state assemblyman and open supporter of socialist policies, has been leading in recent polls of the crowded New York City mayoral race.
His candidacy has drawn both national attention and division, with some Democrats offering enthusiastic support and others showing hesitation.
Earlier this year, Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary.
The victory marked a significant moment in his political career, propelling him to the forefront of the party’s municipal slate.
The general election field includes Mamdani, Cuomo, current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Each candidate has a distinct base of support and strong name recognition, setting the stage for a competitive race.
Polling indicates that Mamdani has a lead in a four-way race, per CBS News.
Surveys, however, also show that if Mamdani were to face Cuomo alone, the former governor would hold an advantage.
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