Zohran Mamdani drew rave opinions from fellow Democrats Wednesday after a gathering hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Washington, D.C., together with a separate sitdown with Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The Democratic mayoral candidate met for practically two hours with lawmakers at a breakfast gathering, however didn’t meet with Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries or Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani enter an elevator after a gathering within the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing on July 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)
“I hope that this conversation can be constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee,” Ocasio-Cortez mentioned forward of the closed-doors assembly, which attracted a number of lawmakers from across the nation.
Ocasio-Cortez, who gave Mamdani a key increase together with her endorsement within the major, left the constructing with out addressing reporters, as did the mayoral candidate.
The charismatic Democratic nominee obtained thumbs up from fellow lefties in Congress, who warned institution Democrats to get in line behind the front-runner after he romped to victory over ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo within the major final month.
“Anyone who’s not endorsing this incredible, dynamic leader is missing an opportunity,” mentioned Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a former chief of the Home progressive caucus. “It’s hard not to be won over,” she mentioned.
NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani briefly speaks with reporters as he leaves the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing on July 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)
Among the many New York lawmakers on the sitdown was Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), who backed Mamdani after he gained the first and has helped construct bridges with fellow Jewish lawmakers.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) praised Mamdani as the actual deal after the assembly.
“It’s just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic, you know, that money cannot buy that.”
Velazquez mentioned it wasn’t rocket science to anticipate many of the metropolis’s lawmakers to endorse Mamdani within the race in opposition to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and Cuomo, who’s operating as an unbiased.
“We are Democrats,” Velazquez added.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-Manhattan), a number one average lawmaker within the metropolis’s delegation, was conspicuous by his absence.
Some Israel backers have opposed Mamdani over his harsh criticism of the Jewish state and refusal to desert the slogan “globalize the intifada,” though he just lately mentioned he wouldn’t use the phrase.
Jeffries and Schumer have each promised to fulfill Mamdani however say they’ll achieve this again in New York Metropolis, with Jeffries saying he deliberate to fulfill in Brooklyn by the tip of the week.
Sanders (I-Vermont) gushed over Mamdani’s political abilities after a separate assembly on Capitol Hill. He warned that company pursuits are scrambling to dam him from successful the battle for Metropolis Corridor in November.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks with reporters about his assembly with NYC Mayoral Candidate outdoors the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing on July 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)
“The oligarchs are prepared to undermine democracy and spend tens of millions to buy the election for his opponents,” Sanders mentioned. “We will not allow that to happen.”
Mamdani returned the favor by praising Sanders as one in every of his political heroes.
“Bernie may be the great Senator from Vermont but he’s Brooklyn through and through,” Mamdani posted on X.
Initially Printed: July 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM EDT
