Democratic Socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani — a staunch critic of Israel — is eyeing a run for mayor, sources mentioned Tuesday.
The state legislator — first elected in 2020 to characterize Astoria — has spoken to folks concerned within the Democratic Get together in addition to inside the Democratic Socialists of America, one supply briefed mentioned.
“A hundred percent he’s telling folks he’s contemplating working,” the supply instructed The Submit Tuesday evening.
His potential candidacy was first reported by Metropolis & State.
Even Democratic Get together insiders who don’t agree with Mamdani mentioned he’s clever and hardworking, saying he would communicate for the rising pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel faction of the Democratic social gathering.
However Mamdani’s participation in anti-Israel rallies simply days after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, sneak assault on Israel, slaughtering 1,200 folks and taking hostages into Gaza will doubtless flip off many pro-Israel voters.
He additionally additionally alienated pro-Israel Democrats final yr when he launched the “Not on Our Dime!: Ending New York Funding of Israeli Settler Violence Act” — laws aimed toward barring New York-based charitable teams from participating in “unauthorized assist of Israeli settlement exercise.”
Opposition blocked passage of the invoice.
Mamdani represents part of Western Queens that’s the DSA’s energy base in New York. Fellow democratic socialists — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Councilwoman Tiffany Caban — additionally characterize the Astoria space.
The marketing campaign of Mayor Eric Adams, who has slammed the DSA as a adverse pressure, had no rapid remark.
Different candidates who’ve thrown their hats into the ring within the Democratic main to problem Adams for mayor subsequent yr — or are contemplating doing so — embody former metropolis Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and present Comptroller Brad Lander.
Mamdani declined requests for remark.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, he moved to New York Metropolis along with his household when he was 7. He attended public faculties, together with the Bronx Excessive College of Science and graduated from Bowdoin Faculty and began a College students for Justice in Palestine chapter there.
He turned a naturalized US citizen in 2018.
“Zohran is proud to be the primary South Asian man to serve within the NYS Meeting in addition to the primary Ugandan and solely the third Muslim to ever be a member of the physique. For too lengthy, communities akin to these have been disregarded of our state’s politics and priorities,” in keeping with his bio.
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