An influential Albany politician representing a district that voted in favor of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo within the New York Metropolis major threw her assist behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, she revealed solely to NBC New York.
“Do you want Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor of New York City with the help support of Donald Trump and his forces, or do you want someone who’s yes, newer, less experienced, but with the right goals and ideology, who’s gonna stand up for all New Yorkers?”
There are two storylines within the race for mayor for the time being, in keeping with State Senator Liz Krueger.
Krueger, a Democrat who represents New York State Senate District 28, revealed her endorsement of Zohran Mamdani for mayor in a dialog with NBC New York on Thursday.
“We need to support Zohran Mamdani to win, and then to hold him accountable to be the best mayor he can and continue to work with us all,” Krueger stated.
Krueger’s district, which incorporates Midtown, the Higher East Facet, Roosevelt Island, Chelsea, Gramercy and Flatiron, turned out closely for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo within the June major.
“I just want to reinforce to anyone who’s interested in listening to me why [Cuomo] would be a very bad decision for the city come November,” Krueger stated. “I hope that everyone will keep an open mind and start to hear what Zohran Mamdani is talking about and what people are saying about him.”
Krueger stated she was not taking Mamdani’s candidacy all that significantly previous to his major victory — however, after assembly with him, studying his positions, and speaking to the individuals who have been working with him, she thought that he is been “evolving and learning,” and is finally New York Metropolis’s most suitable option. She backed Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander within the major, who cross-endorsed with Mamdani.
In the case of “evolving and learning,” she feels that Andrew Cuomo has carried out “just the opposite.”
“[Cuomo] is now trying to figure out how to game himself into a position by having Donald Trump push everyone else out of the race” she stated, and {that a} Cuomo victory can be “a disaster for the city of New York.”
Krueger stated that the 33-year-old has “much to learn,” however finally, she believes that “he’s in constant search for the right answers and [is] open to hearing from everyone.”
Though Krueger is seen as influential in Albany, high New York Democrats like Gov. Kathy Hochul, Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer have but to again the Democratic nominee.
When requested why Hochul hasn’t endorsed Mamdani, Krueger stated that though she will not communicate for her, she believes that the “continued efforts” by Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams and President Trump have made Mamdani’s democratic socialism “some kind of boogeyman” might have contributed to perceptions surrounding Mamdani’s candidacy.
“Communism is not democratic socialism,” the senator stated. “I think that perception is making some more mainstream Democrats nervous.”
