Latest news with #32BJSEIU
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani Ends Triumphant Week With New Endorsements
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic socialist and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani clinched two key union endorsements on Friday, rounding out an already successful week on the heels of Tuesday night's primary election win. Newsweek previously reached out to Mamdani's campaign via email Friday for comment. Why It Matters Mamdani's victory in the primary against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, sparking debate about its direction and the influence of progressive platforms. Mamdani's triumph, built on promises like free city bus rides, free child care, and city-owned grocery stores, has magnified internal rifts within the Democratic Party following the 2024 presidential election loss. The New York assemblyman ultimately landed the backing of key lawmakers like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, but was largely unknown to New Yorkers when he announced his intent to run, per the Associated Press (AP). Mamdani's win could underscore potential shifts in national and local Democratic politics, with trends pointing toward embracing candidates aligned more with progressive agendas. What To Know On Friday, Mamdani landed the backing of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council along with the 32BJ SEIU. Both unions, influential in city and state politics, previously backed Cuomo in his race for mayor. Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU, told Spectrum News NY1 via phone on Friday that, "We met with Zohran today. He came and spoke to our executive board and the board voted to endorse him." Continuing, Pastreich said that Mamdani's "combination of a vision that put working people of New York front and center, raising wages and how to bring down prices of the most expensive things" helped secure the endorsement from 32BJ SEIU. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the union said in part, "We look forward to putting boots on the ground and joining the @ZohranKMamdani coalition working to build a truly affordable city! 1/" Hotel and Gaming Trades Council also posted to X on Friday announcing the endorsement, saying, "Less than 48 hours after the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, presumptive winner @ZohranKMamdani visited our union's headquarters to meet with HTC President Rich Maroko and a crowd of HTC members about his campaign for Mayor." "'It would be an honor to have the support of the hardworking men and women of this union. It would be an honor even more than that to have your partnership to make this the greatest City in the world so that every single New Yorker who builds it can afford to stay in it,' Zohran Mamdani told the crowd. Today, our union proudly announced our endorsement." Mamdani's ability to attract endorsements from unions that had previously backed establishment figures demonstrates sustained momentum and highlights fault lines in the party. Following Mamdani's primary victory, Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee publicly called for Mamdani's deportation. In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York condemned those remarks as "disgusting" in a news conference on Friday. The public defense from Schumer is notable following Mamdani's win as it could possibly trigger panic buttons for him and other Democratic establishment leaders alike, as some pollsters argue that Ocasio-Cortez could potentially challenge Schumer's Senate seat. Mamdani also posted endorsements from the New York State Nurses Association and state senator and Candidate for Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal on social media Friday. New York mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) can be seen speaking to supporters during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025, in the Long Island City neighborhood of... New York mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) can be seen speaking to supporters during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025, in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) More What People Are Saying Senator Sanders on X on Friday: "Mamdani won. The establishment is in panic. Billionaires are raising money against him; Trump is ranting; Islamophobes are on the loose. They know what we know: Candidates who stand boldly with the working class can win not only in NYC, but anywhere. Let's stand with Zohran." Mamdani on X on Thursday: "On Tuesday, New Yorkers delivered a mandate for a Mayor who puts working people first and makes this city affordable for all." What Happens Next? Mamdani is now expected to ramp up general election campaigning, widening his coalition and consolidating support from key Democratic constituencies. With national attention focused on New York, endorsements and opposition will likely intensify ahead of the mayoral general election in November.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Two major NYC unions back Mamdani's general election bid for mayor
NEW YORK — Two major labor unions that backed Andrew Cuomo's failed Democratic mayoral bid are set to endorse upstart democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, two people with knowledge of the matter confirmed to POLITICO. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ SEIU, which represents building service workers in New York City, are intending to back the Democratic nominee as Cuomo ponders whether to run as an independent. 'Congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani on a decisive victory in the democratic primary for Mayor. We can all find inspiration in an optimistic and positive vision of a New York that works for working people. - a vision that has always motivated @32BJSEIU members,' 32BJ's president, Manny Pastreich, posted on X Wednesday evening, one day after the Albany lawmaker stunned the political establishment by toppling the dynastic Cuomo Tuesday. Mamdani met with HTC President Rich Maroko this week after this primary, according to one person with direct knowledge of the meeting. Representatives for the unions couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The endorsements are an indication Mamdani is pulling together institutional support after his upset over the moderate Democratic ex-governor. Mamdani is set to meet next month with influential business leaders who are skeptical of his tax and spending proposals, according to NY1.
Politico
20 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Two major NYC unions back Mamdani's general election bid for mayor
NEW YORK — Two major labor unions that backed Andrew Cuomo's failed Democratic mayoral bid are set to endorse upstart democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, two people with knowledge of the matter confirmed to POLITICO. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ SEIU, which represents building service workers in New York City, are intending to back the Democratic nominee as Cuomo ponders whether to run as an independent. 'Congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani on a decisive victory in the democratic primary for Mayor. We can all find inspiration in an optimistic and positive vision of a New York that works for working people. - a vision that has always motivated @32BJSEIU members,' 32BJ's president, Manny Pastreich, posted on X Wednesday evening, one day after the Albany lawmaker stunned the political establishment by toppling the dynastic Cuomo Tuesday. Mamdani met with HTC President Rich Maroko this week after this primary, according to one person with direct knowledge of the meeting. Representatives for the unions couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The endorsements are an indication Mamdani is pulling together institutional support after his upset over the moderate Democratic ex-governor. Mamdani is set to meet next month with influential business leaders who are skeptical of his tax and spending proposals, according to NY1.
Politico
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Cuomo, Mamdani host split-screen events, but Lander steals the spotlight
NEW YORK — Jockeying for supremacy in the Democratic mayoral primary began early Tuesday with Zohran Mamdani rolling out Sen. Bernie Sanders' breakout endorsement. It ended with all eyes on rival Brad Lander, who was detained by federal immigration officers, prompting his competitors to denounce the arrest. Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo, who is leading almost all polling in the primary, rallied with hundreds of supporters at a get-out-the-vote drive. That event featured high-octane displays of support from union members, but it didn't come close to the star-power of Mamdani's endorsement or attract anywhere near the attention Lander's arrest earned. The events unfolding Tuesday highlight how the contest to win the Democratic nomination in this year's mayor's race has become increasingly fluid in the homestretch. While Cuomo still dominates the polls, Mamdani remains a close second, and Lander appears poised to gain ground. It all comes as early voting is underway and the June 24 primary fast approaches. Mamdani, a state assemblymember from Queens, appeared with volunteers in his immigrant-rich borough on the heels of Sanders' endorsement, which supporters see as a signal of how the race is tightening. Cuomo, a former governor, was in Manhattan's bustling Union Square packed with union members, some wearing hard hats and others carrying signs bearing their group's insignia. Labor endorsements, including from the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU and the District Council of Carpenters, have made him the undisputed labor candidate of the race. 'I have 650,000 women and men in organized labor, does he?' Cuomo told reporters, taking a jab at Mamdani. As the two made their respective appearances, Lander quickly cornered the market on the city's attention after he was handcuffed by federal officers while escorting a defendant from immigration court in lower Manhattan. Lander, the city comptroller, made a cross-endorsement agreement with Mamdani last week as the field's progressives seek to siphon support from Cuomo. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is Sanders' first endorsement in a New York City mayoral race since the Vermont senator backed Bill de Blasio's reelection bid in 2017. 'We are exactly where we want to be,' an ebullient Mamdani said Tuesday. 'We have just been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders … who continues to inspire New Yorkers across the five boroughs about the possibility of our democracy being something more than just that which is bought and paid for by Republican billionaires.' While the nod represents a stamp of approval from a national movement that has focused on working-class struggles, it was Lander who ultimately won the spotlight Tuesday. Both Mamdani and Cuomo denounced the arrest, as did several back-of-the-pack contenders, including former Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and former state Assemblymember Michael Blake. Until Tuesday, Cuomo and Mamdani have been locked in what's effectively been a two-way race. Cuomo is seeking a return to power as mayor after being ousted as governor four years ago amid sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. The relatively inexperienced Mamdani is attempting to ride a wave of youthful enthusiasm and promises of affordability to victory. But the city's relatively new ranked-choice voting system could boost other contenders in the race, including Lander, whose momentum picked up Tuesday after his run-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Lander was also recently buoyed by a breakout debate performance and an endorsement by a panel of experts convened by the New York Times. Cuomo, who's 67, has focused largely on the 33-year-old Mamdani, though. He has sought to contrast himself as a battle-tested manager against the less seasoned state lawmaker. His base of support echoes that of establishment Democrats: older, more moderate with a focus on Black middle- and working-class voters. He leaned hard on that his union support Tuesday as he looks to fend off a late-cycle surge from Mamdani — and now potentially Lander. Asked if he believes Sanders' endorsement will move more votes for Mamdani, Cuomo replied simply 'no' and asked for the next question from reporters. The high-profile nod comes amid Sanders' Fighting Oligarchy tour, which has drawn massive crowds around the nation and marks a departure from the messaging of mainstream Democrats, especially on economic struggles. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely viewed as Sanders' successor in that movement, has enthusiastically endorsed Mamdani as her first choice for mayor. While Sanders isn't expected to flip undecided voters to Mamdani, he may draw in more progressive voters, including older, white New Yorkers and labor members, political observers said. Sanders' backing of Mamdani was first reported by the New York Times. 'This endorsement, combined with large early vote turnout in progressive bastions such as Park Slope, gives Zohran the jolt he needs to make this a 50-50 toss-up election with Cuomo,' said Democratic strategist Trip Yang, who is not affiliated with any mayoral campaigns. Yang added that it remains unclear whether Lander's arrest would translate into votes. 'The closer you get to Election Day, the more hardened voters' opinions are,' he said. 'It is really a two-person race.' That perspective may hold, but it is by no means a certainty. Lander, who represented Park Slope in Brooklyn as a City Council member, used his arrest to highlight what has emerged as a consistent theme throughout the race: standing up to President Donald Trump, an issue that polls well with Democratic voters in New York City. 'This is a critical time to have a mayor who will stand up to ICE and stand up to Donald Trump and insist on due process and the laws of this city. This is a sanctuary city,' Lander told reporters after being released from detention. 'New Yorkers deserve better in a mayor than Andrew Cuomo.' Jeff Coltin contributed to this report.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Los Angeles protest tensions lead to demonstrations in NYC
LOWER MANHATTAN (PIX11) — In the city with the largest foreign-born population in the country, New Yorkers on Monday protested against ongoing developments in Los Angeles. At a demonstration at City Hall Park on Monday afternoon, protesters said that they were raising their voices in opposition to President Trump exercising federal powers over the objections of state and local leaders. More Local News The Lower Manhattan demonstration ended minutes before the president deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, and a day after he mobilized the California National Guard. It was all in response to protests against ICE detentions in L.A. late last week and through the weekend. Most of the protests were peaceful, but some got violent. Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly saying that troops would only escalate tensions, President Trump sent them anyway. Newsom is now suing the Trump administration over the situation, and at the Lower Manhattan demonstration on Monday afternoon, the support for that move was strong. 24 people taken into custody at ICE protest at Trump Tower 'I'm an immigrant and I believe that immigrant rights are just as important as every other right,' said Abby King, one of the protesters, 'and we should not allow this to happen,' she said about ICE detentions at workplaces in Southern California. She's a member of the service workers' union, 32BJ SEIU, which organized the City Hall Park protest. It was called in part to publicly oppose the detention of the union's California president, David Huerta. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Federal agents took him into custody on Friday while he was an official observer of an ICE raid. He remained in lockup all weekend and was granted bond on Monday afternoon. Organizers of Monday's protest downtown said that it's the latest in what they anticipate will be more demonstrations, as the situation involving federal actions in Los Angeles and elsewhere continues. Manny Pastreich is the president of 32BJ SEIU, which organized Monday's protest. 'We will be here, we'll be out on the streets,' Pastreich said in an interview. 'We'll be out in front of the federal buildings. We'll be using our voice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
