Adriano Espaillat Endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

New York.- Less than four months before the municipal elections in New York City, Democratic assemblyman Zohran Mamdani continues to gain key support for his mayoral candidacy. This Thursday, he received a high-profile boost: the official endorsement of Dominican congressman Adriano Espaillat, one of the most influential voices of Hispanic leadership in the Big Apple.

Espaillat, who represents District 13 in the U.S. Congress, highlighted the young candidate’s commitment to working-class, immigrant, and middle-class New Yorkers. “Zohran Mamdani understands that this city cannot function if those who sustain it cannot live in it. I am proud to support him because he represents the hope of a fairer and more humane New York for all,” said the congressman.

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Espaillat’s support adds to those already granted by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Velázquez, and Jerrold Nadler, thus completing the group of New York federal representatives who are backing Mamdani. However, figures like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer have not yet made their preference public in an increasingly polarized contest.

The numbers support the rise of the young progressive politician. Mamdani comfortably won in District 13, precisely where Espaillat serves as a congressman, winning by almost 13 percentage points and with more than 45% of the votes in key areas of Upper Manhattan, including popular sectors of Washington Heights and Harlem.

In the Democratic primaries, Mamdani also gained a clear advantage in districts with a high concentration of Dominicans, such as Inwood, with 48% support. In total,  more than 565,000 New Yorkers voted for him, setting a historical record in primary elections for mayor.

“Having the support of Congressman Espaillat further strengthens this coalition that we have built together with the working and immigrant communities. We are closer to achieving a truly affordable and accessible city,” reacted Mamdani.

An electoral scenario without certainties

Although traditionally the winner of the Democratic primaries has had a clear path to the mayoralty, the political landscape of 2025 is atypical. The current mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election through the independent route, has hardened his discourse and has begun to mark territory as the “candidate of order and the moderate center”.

Added to this is the unknown regarding a possible candidacy of former governor Andrew Cuomo, who maintains an active independent line on the ballots, but has not yet confirmed whether he will participate in the contest.

“This year there are no guarantees or automatic counts. One plus one is not necessarily two,” commented to El Diario a political strategist from the Democratic Party on condition of anonymity. “Many voters of the party still doubt Mamdani. They see him as too radical and hold that line responsible for Trump’s return to power”.

Despite criticism from conservative and moderate sectors, Mamdani continues to lead the polls of voting intention and has managed to capture the enthusiasm of a generation that seeks a structural transformation of the city model. Meanwhile, the campaign enters a decisive stage, where endorsements —like Espaillat’s— could tip the balance.

“Zohran represents the future of New York,” said the Dominican congressman. “And that future has to include those who, like me, came from another country looking for an opportunity.”