Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Labor Lines Up Behind Mamdani After Decisive Win
As Republicans, establishment Democrats, and other moneyed interests continue to hyperventilate over New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani’s decisive win in last week’s primary, organized labor has rallied behind him.
32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Games Trade Council said Friday they were abandoning their earlier endorsement of sex pest and disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in favor of supporting Mamdani. The New York State Nurses Association, which did not support a candidate in the primary, also endorsed Mamdani for the general election. Together, the three unions represent 267,000 workers.
“What Mamdani has that is a great advantage is that he’s bringing an optimistic, positive vision that isn’t tainted,” 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich told the Prospect. Though 300 of the union’s members met with and ranked all nine mayoral candidates for the primary, its executive board ultimately made the call to endorse Cuomo, he said. The board met Friday at noon and announced their new endorsement shortly afterwards.
Mamdani “can build a very, very strong governing coalition by building out the incredible things he’s already done,” Pastreich said. About 3,500 of the union’s members campaigned for Cuomo, he said. “We expect to do that and more,” for Mamdani.
The endorsements came the day after Cuomo reportedly decided to remain on November’s ballot, running on the independent “Fight & Deliver” line that he had already secured. If he had won the primary, he would have been allowed to appear on that line as well as the Democratic Party line. It’s unclear whether he will run an active campaign. Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment.
32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Games Trade Council said Friday they were abandoning their earlier endorsement of sex pest and disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in favor of supporting Mamdani. The New York State Nurses Association, which did not support a candidate in the primary, also endorsed Mamdani for the general election. Together, the three unions represent 267,000 workers.
“What Mamdani has that is a great advantage is that he’s bringing an optimistic, positive vision that isn’t tainted,” 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich told the Prospect. Though 300 of the union’s members met with and ranked all nine mayoral candidates for the primary, its executive board ultimately made the call to endorse Cuomo, he said. The board met Friday at noon and announced their new endorsement shortly afterwards.
Mamdani “can build a very, very strong governing coalition by building out the incredible things he’s already done,” Pastreich said. About 3,500 of the union’s members campaigned for Cuomo, he said. “We expect to do that and more,” for Mamdani.
The endorsements came the day after Cuomo reportedly decided to remain on November’s ballot, running on the independent “Fight & Deliver” line that he had already secured. If he had won the primary, he would have been allowed to appear on that line as well as the Democratic Party line. It’s unclear whether he will run an active campaign. Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment.
https://prospect.org/politics/2025-06-30-labor-lines-up-mamdani-after-decisive-win-cuomo/