Mamdani’s public record on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s possible 2028 presidential campaign has shifted from an early show of support to caution. In March, weeks after his inauguration as mayor, he signed a petition calling Ocasio-Cortez the most viable left contender for president. The petition focused mainly on her 2026 congressional reelection, according to POLITICO.
By summer, Mamdani was declining to endorse a hypothetical Ocasio-Cortez presidential campaign, saying it was too early to weigh in, POLITICO reported. In a later account, Axios reported that Mamdani remains unsure whether she will run.
Mamdani has also discussed the 2028 race with labor leaders, according to Axios. Last month, he met at Gracie Mansion with Jimmy Williams Jr., president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. The outlet reported that Mamdani asked what it would take to secure the union’s endorsement and whether Williams had considered running for office.
Axios also reported that Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C.W.A., recently met with Mamdani to discuss 2028 and other issues. The mayor plans to meet with Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers, the outlet reported.
Axios reported that other names are circulating among progressives: Some hope Abdul El-Sayed, the incoming senator from Michigan, will consider a campaign, while others are supporting California Representative Ro Khanna.
City labor costs in the budget
The discussions with labor leaders come amid significant city spending on employee benefits and pensions. According to the Office of the New York City Comptroller, the FY 2026 adopted budget allocated $25.17 billion, or 21.7 percent of the budget, to fringe benefits and pensions for city employees and retirees.
