Mamdani positioned as 2028 kingmaker
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met union leaders to push for a labor-aligned leftist 2028 candidate.
He can't run himself, so his backing could sway who the left unites behind.
Background
Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City, born in Uganda and constitutionally ineligible to become US president. He has previously recruited and helped elect several left-wing congressional candidates in New York. His outreach comes amid concern among progressives that the 2028 Democratic presidential race could lack a prominent left-wing contender, and he argues the left cannot afford to squander its midterm momentum.
How it unfolded
- Nov 8, 2026Axios reports Mamdani is privately meeting union leaders and urging a labor-aligned or leftist 2028 presidential candidate, citing four people familiar with the talks.
- Nov 9, 2026Mamdani acknowledges his meetings with labor leaders at an unrelated press conference in Manhattan, without revealing what was discussed or his candidate preferences.
- Nov 9, 2026Reports say Mamdani met Jimmy Williams Jr., president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, at Gracie Mansion last month to discuss the 2028 race.
- Nov 9, 2026Mamdani has held discussions with Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, about the 2028 race and other issues, and is expected to meet UAW president Shawn Fain soon.
Key terms
- CWA
- The largest communications and media labor union in the United States, representing workers in private and public sectors.
- UAW
- An American labor union representing workers in the United States and southern Ontario, Canada.
- kingmaker
- A person or group with significant influence over who comes to power but unable to take power directly.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Democratic strategist Trip Yang says that if Mamdani chose to play a kingmaker role, he has the credibility now to do it, having proven he can govern in New York and that his endorsement carries weight there.
- Analysts
- Democratic consultant Ryan Adams says Mamdani likely does not want to be seen playing politics rather than doing direct work, but has become "the avatar of what the Dems can be to a lot of people."
- Official
- Mamdani acknowledged the meetings but did not reveal what was discussed or his preferences for a Democratic nominee, emphasizing labor's importance in shaping 2028 priorities.
Still unverified
Axios's account rests on four people familiar with the discussions; Mamdani has not disclosed what was discussed or his candidate preferences. Ocasio-Cortez's 2028 plans remain uncertain; she has said she is considering both a Senate bid and a presidential campaign.