On September 22, 2025, former Vice President Kamala Harris stepped back into the national spotlight with a cautious endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, during a televised interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. The moment, while measured in tone, has sent ripples through the Democratic Party, highlighting both the party’s internal divisions and the growing influence of its progressive wing.
Harris, who has been reflecting publicly on her own political journey following her 2024 presidential election defeat to Donald Trump, offered a carefully worded show of support for Mamdani. Pressed by Maddow about her position, Harris stated, “He is the Democrat in the race and deserves support. I support the Democrat in this race, absolutely.” Notably, she avoided mentioning Mamdani’s name directly—a move that did not go unnoticed by political observers and party insiders alike. According to NBC News, when asked directly whether she endorsed Mamdani, Harris replied, “I support the Democrat in the race, sure. But let me just say this: He’s not the only star.” She then pivoted to highlight other Democratic candidates running for mayoral positions across the country, emphasizing, “We got a big tent and we got a lot of stars.”
This tepid endorsement stands in stark contrast to the enthusiastic backing Mamdani has received from progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Both have championed Mamdani as a symbol of the party’s leftward shift and generational change, especially as younger voters express frustration with the aging Democratic leadership. As reported by NPR, Sanders has been openly critical of party leaders who have withheld their support, stating, “It is hard for me to understand how the Democratic leadership is not supporting the candidate who won the Democratic primary.” Senator Chris Van Hollen has similarly referred to these non-endorsements as “spineless politics.”
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and member of the New York State Assembly since 2021, surged to prominence after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a landslide victory during the June 2025 Democratic primary. His campaign has been marked by bold promises, including fare-free city buses, city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on rent-stabilized units, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. Mamdani’s charismatic style and inclusive messaging have resonated with New York’s diverse electorate, and his campaign’s use of rapid, viral videos and eye-catching graphics has set a new standard for political outreach in the city.
Beyond his economic agenda, Mamdani has also been an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza. In a recent interview with The New York Times, he declared that he would order the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on international war crimes charges if the Israeli leader entered New York City—a stance that has drawn both praise and criticism within the party. This month, an international UN commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israeli officials strongly reject. Mamdani’s pro-Palestinian advocacy has led to sharp divisions among Democrats, with some, like New York State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs, refusing to endorse him. Jacobs stated, “I reject the platform of the so-called ‘Democratic Socialists of America’ and do not believe that it represents the principles, values or policies of the Democratic Party.”
Despite the controversy, Mamdani’s campaign continues to gain momentum. According to a Siena Research Institute poll conducted on September 9, 2025, Mamdani leads the crowded mayoral field with 46 percent support, well ahead of former Governor Cuomo, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. In response to Harris’s endorsement, Mamdani’s office released a statement expressing gratitude for the growing support: “We’re thrilled by the growing wave of support for our campaign.” Mamdani further emphasized that Harris’s support “underscores that our fight for affordability is striking a chord not just here in New York, but with Democrats across the country.”
Harris’s own political journey has been a subject of intense scrutiny and reflection since her loss to Trump in the 2024 presidential race. In her candid new book, 107 Days, Harris details the private anguish she experienced following the defeat, as well as her regrets about not challenging President Biden’s decision to seek a second term despite widespread concerns about his age and stamina. She writes, “In retrospect, I think it was recklessness. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision.” During her MSNBC interview, Harris expanded on these themes, saying, “I have and had a certain responsibility that I should have followed through on.” She admitted that her hesitation stemmed from fears of appearing self-serving, given her own presidential ambitions and previous rivalry with Biden. “When I talk about the recklessness, as much as anything, I’m talking about myself,” she told Maddow.
Harris’s measured approach to Mamdani’s candidacy also reflects the Democratic Party’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its centrist and progressive factions. While some, like Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, have publicly endorsed Mamdani, other influential figures such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have remained silent. Moderate Democrats, including Representative Tom Suozzi, have openly criticized Mamdani’s platform, arguing, “Socialism does not work and his proposed plans would make New York a less competitive city and state.”
The debate over Mamdani’s candidacy has exposed deep rifts within the party. After Jacobs announced he would not endorse Mamdani, State Senator Mike Gianaris lambasted the decision, writing on X, “The chair of the Democratic Party refusing to support the candidate clearly selected by the voters of the Democratic Party. If he won’t perform that most basic responsibility of a party leader, what exactly is he doing over there?”
Meanwhile, Harris has made it clear that she does not intend to seek elected office in the near future. She announced in July 2025 that she would not run for governor of California, and she has ruled out a presidential bid in 2028, stating that it isn’t her focus at all. Since her presidential defeat, Harris has largely kept a low profile, signing with Creative Artists Agency for publishing and public speaking opportunities.
As the New York City mayoral race heats up, Mamdani’s campaign continues to energize progressive voters and challenge the Democratic establishment. Harris’s endorsement, however measured, marks a significant moment in the contest—one that underscores the shifting tides within the Democratic Party and the high stakes of the nation’s largest city’s leadership. With the general election approaching, all eyes remain on whether the party can unite behind its nominee or if internal divisions will shape the outcome in unexpected ways.
