Obama Refuses to Endorse Mamdani

Former President Barack Obama declined to endorse New York mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, the New York Post reported on Sunday.

Obama was in nearby Newark to campaign for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill over the weekend, ahead of Tuesday’s election, but did not come to New York City to do the same for Mamdani, though he spoke with him on the phone.

Mamdani campaign adviser Patrick Gaspard, who served as director of the White House Office of Political Affairs and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa under Obama, downplayed his lack of endorsement, telling to the Post that “President Obama doesn’t endorse in local races. That’s a longstanding rule post-presidency. He endorses in general election races for federal office and governors. His call to Zohran is a huge boost at a critical moment and a signal to New Yorkers.”