NYC unions ditch Cuomo to back socialist Mamdani for mayor

Two major New York City labor unions that had previously backed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in this year’s mayoral race have shifted their support to socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani,  who recently won the Democratic primary for governor of New York City.

The leaders of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, Local 32BJ, as well as the New York State Nurses Association, have now thrown their weight behind Mamdani. The nursing union did not make an endorsement in the primary. Their endorsements signal a growing consolidation of the Democrats in power rallying around the socialist candidate, per the New York Times. The unions have also pledged to mobilize on his behalf through organized ground efforts to support him in the election.

Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, which represents building workers as well as doormen in the city, expressed his support, saying, “We are confident that whenever we’re in a fight, Zohran will be on our side standing up for hospitality workers. That’s why we are genuinely excited to endorse Zohran and ready to help him win in November.”

The Union leaders cited Mamdani’s focus on affordability to back him. Some of his campaign promises included freezing rents, raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour in the city by 2030, and constructing government-run grocery stores, as well as other far-left economic policies.

While the general election is expected to be competitive, Democrats maintain a significant advantage in New York City, where for every Republican there are six Democrats, per the outlet.

The unions’ pivot away from Cuomo, once a powerful political figure, and toward Mamdani underscores a shift in politics in the city as the socialist candidate is trying to win over more moderate establishment Democrat backers. Business leaders in the city, however, are also moving to oppose Mandani since he has vowed to increase taxes and expand the welfare state in New York.