The Jerusalem Post, September 2025
For some, Mamdani’s approach when Biden and Harris were running is evidence that Democrats should feel under no obligation to support him now. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had strong words recently for fellow Democrats who have not endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the party’s nominee for mayor of New York City.
“I am very concerned about the example that is being set by anybody in our party,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “I believe that we must set the example of supporting the party’s nominee.” Sen. Bernie Sanders sounded a similar note when he appeared alongside Mamdani recently in Brooklyn. “I find it hard to understand how the major Democratic leaders of New York State are not supporting the Democratic candidate,” Sanders said. Gov. Kathy Hochul had not yet endorsed Mamdani at the time, nor had Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries – both of whom remain mum.
Sanders added, “One might think that if a candidate starting at 2% in the polls gets 50,000 volunteers, creates enormous excitement, gets young people involved in the political process, gets nontraditional voters to vote – Democratic leaders would be jumping up and down!” This week, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland pressed the case. “Many Democratic members of the Senate and the House representing New York have stayed on the sidelines,” he said during a speech in Iowa. “That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of. They need to get behind him and get behind him now.”
