Working Families Party Ranks Mamdani First in NYC Mayoral Primary

The Working Families Party (WFP) has endorsed Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani as its top choice in the New York City mayoral Democratic primary, positioning him as the progressive standard-bearer against frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. Alongside Mamdani, the WFP ranked City Comptroller Brad Lander second, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams third, and state Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos fourth and fifth, aiming to consolidate progressive votes under the city's ranked-choice voting system. Recent polls show Cuomo leading with around 35%, while Mamdani trails with about 23%, but the WFP endorsement could narrow this gap by encouraging voters to rank Mamdani first. Mamdani's campaign emphasizes leftist policies such as free public transit, city-operated grocery stores, and a $1 billion investment in non-police staff to tackle homelessness and mental health, contrasting with Lander's more centrist stance, including support for hiring additional police officers. The WFP has also indicated it may run a candidate on its own ballot line in the general election if Cuomo secures the Democratic nomination. With early voting starting June 14 and a primary on June 24, the race remains competitive, especially as endorsements from influential figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are still pending.