AOC, Bernie rally for Johran Mamdani as early voting opens in NYC mayoral race

New York – Representation of progressed stars. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDN.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joins New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for a “New York Not for Sale” rally Sunday night at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York City.

The high-profile campaign event comes nearly a week before Election Day, as New Yorkers head to the polls in the first weekend of early voting and Mamdani’s unexpected victory, ending a contentious mayoral race and putting him on the national stage.

“Zohran Mamdani is modeling a different kind of politics,” Sanders, a former Democratic presidential candidate and longtime progressive, said in a statement before the rally.

A trio of self-identified Democratic socialists have bolstered the Democratic Party’s progressive base at a time when Democrats are still suffering devastating losses in 2024 amid growing discontent with the president. Donald TrumpThe sweeping, second term agenda.

Bernie Sanders slams Dem leaders for rejecting Mamdani in mayoral race: ‘This is our guy!’

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hold hands during a town hall “Fighting Oligarchy” event at Brooklyn College on September 6, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

When Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez “Fighting Oligarchy” tour Earlier this year, he caused a stir, firing up thousands of Democrats at rallies across the United States that were left without a clear party leader.

Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani team up in New York to fight ‘oligarchy’

“As mayor, he will not run a top-down, billionaire-funded, consultant-driven administration. Instead, Zohran will be a champion for the working people of New York,” Sanders said.

Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have campaigned alongside Mamdani to lead the nation’s most populous city.

On Friday night, Sanders appeared with Mamdani for a virtual “Get Out the Vote” event. Last month, Sanders and Mamdani teamed up for a “Fighting Oligarchy” town hall in Brooklyn.

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani answers questions from reporters after a final debate before Election Day, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavey)

Before the Brooklyn town hall event, the two progressive leaders marched with union members in Manhattan’s Labor Day parade. Mamdani that afternoon Pose for a photo With Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez in Astoria, Queens, it garnered millions of views.

Sanders, a two-time runner-up for the Democratic presidential nomination, was an early supporter of Mamdani’s primary campaign, along with Ocasio-Cortez. Their endorsements helped Mamdani consolidate progressive support in an 11-candidate field in the final week of the primary race.

Mamdani’s primary displeasure The Democratic Socialist handily defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo, who had been widely expected to win the Democratic nomination, in a political earthquake.

Mamdani’s mutual support of fellow progressive New York City Comptroller Brad Lander paved the way for Mamdani to rally support against Cuomo through ranked-choice voting.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and rape. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., welcomes the crowd together during the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour event at Arizona State University, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Tempe, Arizona. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

Cuomo has since launched an independent campaign, mounting a competitive and contentious general election battle.

Since Mamdani won the Democratic nomination, Trump has labeled him a “100% communist lunatic” and “my little communist” and thrust Mamdani onto the national political stage. Mamdani rejects the moniker, saying he identifies as a democratic socialist like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez.

As Trump began criticizing Mamdani, New York Democrats chose to withhold support for the socialist candidate, who has made several ambitious campaign promises, such as fast and free buses, inner-city grocery stores and free child care, all of which he plans to pay for by raising taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers.

After months of withholding his support, Gov. Cathy Hochul Mamdani was finally endorsed last month, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally announced his support in a statement Friday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to endorse it.

Supporters of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani gather outside 30 Rock on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York City. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavey)

Pressure has been mounting on Mamdani since he won the Democratic primary for mayor in June Eric Adamswho was also running as an independent, or dropped out of the race to rally support against Cuomo Mamdani. Adams dropped out of the race and endorsed Cuomo on Thursday.

The pressure reached a boiling point last week with billionaires including Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis and hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman calling on Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race to clear the way for a Cuomo victory.

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the latest Fox News pollAhead of last week’s first general election debates held on October 10-14, it was revealed that Mamdani had a significant lead in the race. According to the poll, Mamdani has a 21-point lead among registered voters in New York City, and 49% of voters support Mamdani, compared to 28% for Cuomo and 13% for Sliwa.

Mamdani also reached above 50% potential votersWith 52% support, Cuomo picked up 28% and Sliwa only got 14%.