Former Vice President’s Measured Support Highlights Tensions Over Progressive Candidate
Kamala Harris offered a carefully measured endorsement of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during a September television appearance, marking a significant moment in the contested mayoral race. The former Vice President’s tepid statement “He is the Democrat in the race and deserves support. I support the Democrat in this race” notably avoided mentioning Mamdani’s name directly, a rhetorical choice that observers interpreted as reflecting internal Democratic Party divisions over the progressive candidate’s controversial positions and rhetoric.
A Calculated Political Statement
The MSNBC Interview
Harris made the endorsement during an MSNBC interview with Rachel Maddow on September 22, 2025, months after Mamdani’s decisive victory in the June Democratic primary over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. When pressed to offer a direct endorsement of the democratic socialist, Harris deflected, stating: “He’s not the only star. We got a big tent and we got a lot of stars,” before pivoting to discuss other Democratic candidates running for mayoral offices nationwide.
Avoiding Direct Support
NBC News reported that political observers quickly noted the absence of Mamdani’s name in Harris’s endorsement, contrasting her approach with other party leaders who offered unqualified support.
Progressive Leaders Rally Behind Mamdani
Sanders and AOC’s Strong Support
Harris’s measured response stood in stark contrast to the enthusiastic backing Mamdani received from prominent progressive figures. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have championed Mamdani as a symbol of the Democratic Party’s leftward shift and its appeal to younger voters frustrated with aging party leadership.
Criticism of Party Establishment
NPR documented Sanders’s public criticism of party leaders who withheld support, with the Vermont senator stating that “it is hard for me to understand how the Democratic leadership is not supporting the candidate who won the Democratic primary.” Senator Chris Van Hollen described such non-endorsements as “spineless politics.”
Party Divisions Over Israel and Ideology
Gaza and Israel Position
The underlying tensions driving Harris’s caution stem from Mamdani’s strong positions on Israel and the Gaza conflict, as well as his identification as a democratic socialist committed to policies far to the left of traditional Democratic orthodoxy. Mamdani has declared he would order the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on international war crimes charges should the Israeli leader enter New York City, a stance that alarmed moderate Democratic leaders concerned about the party’s relationship with the pro-Israel community.
Socialist Economic Agenda
These controversial positions combine with Mamdani’s commitment to radical economic redistribution and public ownership models, creating ideological rifts between progressive Democrats and centrist party members.
Harris’s Own Political Journey and Reflection
Book and Personal Reflection
Harris’s measured approach to Mamdani reflected her own evolving perspectives following her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. In her recently published book “107 Days,” Harris detailed the private anguish she experienced after the election and her regrets about not challenging President Biden’s decision to seek reelection despite widespread concerns about his age.
Responsibility and Accountability
Fortune reported that Harris’s interview included extensive personal reflection on her political choices, including her hesitation to publicly challenge Biden because of fears that her own presidential ambitions would appear self-serving. During the MSNBC appearance, Harris expanded on these themes, stating: “I have and had a certain responsibility that I should have followed through on.”
A Party at War With Itself
Division Among Democratic Leaders
The Democratic Party’s response to Mamdani’s nomination exposed fundamental disagreements about the future direction of urban governance and the proper relationship between domestic politics and international affairs. Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie offered explicit endorsements, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries maintained public silence.
Moderate Opposition
Moderate Democrats, including Representative Tom Suozzi, openly criticized Mamdani’s platform, arguing that “Socialism does not work and his proposed plans would make New York a less competitive city and state.” New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs refused to endorse Mamdani, stating: “I reject the platform of the so-called ‘Democratic Socialists of America’ and do not believe that it represents the principles, values or policies of the Democratic Party.”
Mamdani’s Campaign Victory and Mandate
Primary Victory Numbers
Despite the party divisions, a comprehensive analysis noted that Mamdani secured 46 percent support in September polling, well ahead of all opponents.
Policy Platform
He ran on a platform including fare-free city buses, city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on rent-stabilized units, and a thirty-dollar minimum wage by 2030. His campaign effectively mobilized younger voters through rapid-response social media content and direct-to-camera appeals on platforms where his supporters congregated.
Harris’s Future Political Role
Career Path Forward
Harris made clear she does not intend to seek elected office in the near future, announcing in July 2025 that she would not run for governor of California and ruling out a 2028 presidential bid. Since her defeat, Harris has largely maintained a low public profile while signing with Creative Artists Agency for publishing and speaking opportunities. The cautious endorsement of Mamdani appears to reflect a broader Harris strategy of maintaining party unity without taking controversial positions that might further divide Democrats already struggling with tensions between their progressive and establishment wings. The outcome of Mamdani’s tenure as mayor will likely influence whether Harris and other Democratic leaders view the socialist experiment in urban governance as viable for other cities or as a cautionary tale about the risks of excessive ideological purity.
