Obama refuses to endorse Zohran Mamdani in New York mayoral race

Former US President Barack Obama has declined to endorse New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, even after speaking with him by phone on Saturday. The election, scheduled for Tuesday, will determine the city’s next mayor, with Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa locked in a closely contested race.

According to The New York Post, Mamdani campaign adviser Patrick Gaspard, who previously served as Obama’s White House political director and US ambassador to South Africa, downplayed the absence of support. “President Obama doesn’t endorse in local races. That’s a longstanding rule post-presidency,” Gaspard told the outlet. “He endorses in general election races for federal office and governors. His call to Zohran is a huge boost at a critical moment and a signal to New Yorkers.”

However, Obama has previously broken his self-imposed “no-local-endorsement” rule, having supported Bill de Blasio in New York City’s 2013 race, Karen Bass and Eric Garcetti in Los Angeles, and Rahm Emanuel in Chicago. He also backed Rick Kriseman for mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Caroline Simmons in Stamford, Connecticut.

On Saturday, Obama was across the Hudson River in Newark, campaigning for New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, but he did not travel into New York City to publicly support Mamdani ahead of the vote.

Political backlash and silence from both sides

Political strategists have interpreted Obama’s restraint as a significant signal. Republican analyst Rob Ryan told The Post that it reflected discomfort within the Democratic establishment. “Even Barack Obama realises Mamdani is bad for New York and the Democratic Party,” Ryan said. “Obama is trying to protect other Democrats from the stain of supporting a communist for mayor in America’s greatest city.”

Adding to Mamdani’s challenges, both Donald Trump and Elon Musk have also withheld their endorsements. Musk, during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, labelled Mamdani a “charismatic swindler”, claiming his policies would “cause a major decline in living standards”. He urged voters to back former Governor Andrew Cuomo instead, calling him a “realist alternative”.

Trump echoed a similar view during an interview on 60 Minutes, describing Cuomo as “the lesser evil.” “I’d rather see Cuomo — a bad Democrat — run the city than a communist,” Trump said.

With leading figures across the political spectrum refusing to offer support, Mamdani faces mounting scrutiny in the final days before New Yorkers cast their votes.