On June 25, Zohran Mandami, a democrat socialist and a New York State Assembly member representing the 36th district, as well as being a Muslim, is on the threshold of becoming the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, with a commanding lead over Andrew Cuomo, despite Cuomo’s backing from major unions. In April, endorsements and money for Cuomo’s campaign poured in. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council said they would spend $1million dollars a day on advertising and canvassing for him before the Primary Day. DC 37, the city’s largest public employees union, remained undecided. Still. Cuomo had consolidated the largest bloc of union support. He had won even earlier endorsements from unions representing New York City’s carpenters, electrical workers, painters, operating engineers and more. Yet Mamdani successfully pulled out an impressive lead against his rival. After Mamdani’s win, the first union to support him, the UAW, congratulated him. UAW President Shawn Fain said, “The working class is done with business as usual. We were proud to be the first union to endorse Zohran because it’s time for a political movement that puts the working class first. Our members spoke out and turned out in a big way — and we’re just getting started.”
Read the full story by Duncan Freeman for The Chief, published June 26, 2025, here: https://thechiefleader.com/stories/absolutley-epic-union-leaders-react-to-surprise-socialist-mayoral-victory,54654
