Bernie Sanders administers ceremonial oath; AG Letitia James handles formal swearing-in
Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will be sworn into office in January by state Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent and fellow democratic socialist. Sanders will oversee the mayor-elect’s ceremonial swearing-in at a New Year’s Day block party, while James will formally swear in Mamdani at midnight when his term officially begins on January 1. In a news release announcing the events, the transition noted that Sanders’ “unapologetic progressive values inspired Zohran to run for office in the first place.” Mamdani, who beat former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in last month’s election, is set to become mayor of the country’s largest city and its first Muslim mayor.
Symbolic Moment for the Left
“It is an honor to be sworn in by two leaders I have admired for years: Attorney General Tish James and Senator Bernie Sanders,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Attorney General James has taken on powerful interests in her defense of New Yorkers and embodied the principle of equal justice before the law. Senator Bernie Sanders laid the foundations for our movement with his steadfast commitment to the dignity of working people and his belief in a government that serves the many, not just the few. I can think of no better leaders to help usher in a new era for New York City.” Mamdani campaigned extensively with Sanders, energizing the same progressive electorate locally that the senator from Vermont activated in his two presidential bids. The choice of both James and Sanders underscores the symbolic importance of Mamdani’s victory to the American left.
James’ Unexpected Endorsement
James was one of Mamdani’s most prominent endorsements from a state where many major Democrats tried to keep their distance from the progressive candidate. As the Democratic primary was conducted using ranked choice voting, which allowed voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference, James announced she was ranking Mamdani third on her ballot. In October, James spoke at a rally with Mamdani shortly after she was indicted on fraud charges tied to a mortgage loan. A federal judge later tossed that indictment. “He is a leader fighting for a better future for this city, and he, like me, knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed,” James said at the time.
Historic Implications
Mamdani’s ascension to the mayoralty marks a watershed moment for democratic socialism in American politics. He becomes the first openly socialist mayor of a city of New York’s size and significance. His elevation is particularly notable given that both Sanders and James, who represent different wings of the Democratic Party, see him as worthy of their public support and ceremonial participation in his inauguration. For context on the history of progressive mayors and democratic socialism in American cities, see Democratic Socialists of America and scholarly resources on urban progressive governance.
