Adriano Espaillat endorses Mamdani after previously backing Cuomo

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani notched an endorsement on Thursday from a top House member who previously backed Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. 

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, declared his support for the Democratic nominee, who pulled off a surprise upset against Cuomo — who had been viewed as the frontrunner throughout the primary race. 

Espaillat said he’s endorsing Mamdani because New Yorkers “deserve a mayor who will wake up every day and fight for them.” 

“Zohran Mamdani brings clarity, discipline, and a deep commitment to tackling the stubborn issues facing New York City,” the New York lawmaker said in a statement. “He understands our city doesn't work if everyday New Yorkers — the very people that keep it moving forward — can’t afford to live here.” 

“From facing the housing crisis head-on to supporting students coping with housing instability, and from working to ensure that people can retire with dignity to restoring CUNY as a real pathway to opportunity, he has a strong vision of how to make New York serve those working to realize the American dream,” he added.

Mamdani said Espaillat has been on the “front lines” opposing the Trump administration, and that they both recognize the need to stand up for their values as well as working class and immigrant communities. 

“As we expand this coalition for an affordable city to more New Yorkers, it is a profound honor to have the Congressman in our corner,” he said.

Espaillat, a fifth-term congressman, is just the latest New York Democrat to support Mamdani, a member of the State Assembly. Some Democrats have shown some hesitancy to back the self-described democratic socialist, but he’s slowly increased his support since winning the primary held last month. 

Mamdani received an endorsement from Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), the dean of New York’s congressional delegation, just a day after the primary. Nadler had backed former city Comptroller Scott Stringer in the primary. 

He has also since received support from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, the chairs of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Democratic parties and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — who opposed him in the primary. 

A few top New York Democrats have continued to withhold their support, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. All have congratulated Mamdani on his primary win and said they have had conversations with him but stopped short of formally backing him.