New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed Monday that he has been meeting with labor union leaders to discuss the 2028 presidential race, acknowledging the talks at a press conference in Manhattan. While he did not reveal his preferences for a Democratic nominee, Mamdani stressed the importance of putting working people's issues at the center of politics through 2028.
The confirmation follows an Axios report that Mamdani, who cannot run for president because he was born in Uganda, has been privately talking up the need for a labor-aligned or leftist candidate to run. The mayor has met with International Union of Painters and Allied Trades President Jimmy Williams Jr. and Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson, and plans to meet with United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain.
Mamdani said Monday that he meets with labor leaders "precisely because they have been on the front lines of delivering for those working people and the importance of ensuring that the crises that affects working people are at the centerpiece of any of the politics that comes from now until 2028."
Hotel and Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko welcomed the mayor's interest, saying in a statement, "Wherever we can find common ground on endorsements, we obviously want to."
Mamdani's efforts come as progressives face uncertainty about whether Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a close political ally, will launch a White House run. Some on the left are looking to Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed or California Representative Ro Khanna, who recently met with Mamdani at City Hall. Williams told Axios he is "absolutely supportive" of labor candidates but not interested in running himself.
"I don't think that there's a tension in helping to elect Democrats and also in ensuring that we as Democrats are accountable to the very reason that working people have entrusted their faith in us once again," Mamdani said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Mamdani's role as a kingmaker could shape the Democratic primary field if Ocasio-Cortez does not run.
- His close relationships with progressive labor leaders give him leverage to influence endorsements.
- The outcome of his efforts will signal whether the left can unify behind a candidate in 2028.
Background
Mamdani was born in Uganda and became a US citizen in 2018, making him ineligible for the presidency. He is the mayor of New York City and a close ally of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Despite not being able to run, he has become a prominent progressive figure, using his platform to support labor-aligned candidates and build ties with national unions.
Key Perspectives
Zohran Mamdani: He is meeting with labor leaders to ensure working-class priorities are central to the 2028 race, without publicly endorsing any candidate.
Jimmy Williams Jr.: The IUPAT president expressed support for labor candidates but said he is not interested in running himself.
Rich Maroko: The hotel workers union president welcomed Mamdani's involvement, noting alignment on endorsements.
Trip Yang: The Democratic strategist argued that Mamdani, having proven his ability to govern and his endorsement's weight, has the credibility to be a kingmaker.
What to Watch
- Whether Ocasio-Cortez enters the 2028 presidential race or runs for Senate.
- If Shawn Fain or another labor leader comes under pressure to enter the race.
- Further meetings between Mamdani and potential candidates, including Ro Khanna.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedWilliams said he was “absolutely supportive” of labour figures running for office.Axios: “Williams, the IUPAT president, told Axios he's "absolutely supportive" of people from the labor movement running for office up and down the ballot.”
- SupportedMamdani told WNYC he wanted AOC to do “whatever it is that AOC wants to do” and called her “an inspiration.”Axios: “Asked by WNYC last month if he wants to see Ocasio-Cortez run for president, Mamdani said, "I want to see AOC do whatever it is that AOC wants to do" and called her "an inspiration."”
- SupportedFain told the Detroit News he had “no plans” to run.Axios: “But he told the Detroit News last month he has "no plans" to run.”
- SupportedMamdani seeks to shape the 2028 race as AOC weighs a run, according to a report.Axios: “Scoop: Mamdani's bid for 2028 kingmaker. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani can't be president, so he's trying to be the next best thing: a progressive kingmaker for 2028.”
- SupportedMamdani has met union leaders and talked up the need for a labour-aligned or leftist White House candidate.Axios: “Mamdani has been meeting privately with union leaders, urgently talking up the need for a labor-aligned or leftist candidate to run for the White House, four people familiar with the talks told Axios.”
- SupportedAxios reports that Mamdani is uncertain whether Ocasio-Cortez will run for president.Axios: “Behind closed doors, Mamdani has made a striking admission that helps explain why he's so eager to huddle with allies about 2028: He's uncertain whether New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his close political partner, will launch a White House run, the sources said.”
- SupportedMamdani is ineligible to be president because he was born in Uganda.Axios: “Mamdani — who's ineligible to be president because he was born in Uganda — wants to coordinate with progressive leaders”
- SupportedMamdani met Jimmy Williams Jr. last month and asked about potential candidates and the union's endorsement process.Axios: “Last month, Mamdani summoned the president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Jimmy Williams Jr., to Gracie Mansion to talk about 2028. Mamdani asked Williams which potential presidential candidates he liked and how his union's endorsement process would unfold.”
- SupportedWilliams is not interested in running for office himself.Axios: “But Williams said he's not interested in running for elected office.”
- SupportedNelson met with Mamdani recently, and Mamdani plans to meet Fain soon.Axios: “Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C.W.A, also met with Mamdani recently to discuss 2028 and other issues. The mayor plans to get together soon with yet another labor leader — Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers.”
- SupportedA source who spoke with Mamdani said he wants to coordinate with progressives to unite against a centrist contender they oppose; the source cited Obama's role in helping Biden consolidate support against Sanders in 2020.Axios: “Mamdani "wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently if a moderate candidate is clearly on the rise," the person said, pointing to how former President Barack Obama appeared to help Joe Biden consolidate support against Bernie Sanders in 2020.”
- SupportedOcasio-Cortez has said she is considering a presidential run and a Senate bid, while many progressives think she is leaning toward the Senate.Axios: “Many think Ocasio-Cortez is leaning toward a Senate bid in 2028 instead of a White House run. She's said she's considering both options.”