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In an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” on Monday, former Vice President Kamala Harris gave a restrained endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for New York City mayor. Her remarks come as notable Democrats remain hesitant to fully support the progressive state legislator.
“From my perspective, he’s the Democratic nominee and deserves support,” Harris remarked when queried about Mamdani and the party’s cautious support.
Asked whether she endorsed Mamdani, she offered a tepid response before turning to other up-and-coming names in the party.
“I back the Democrat in the race, sure. However, let me emphasize: He’s not the only noteworthy figure,” Harris stated, proceeding to commend Democrats vying for mayoral positions across the U.S.
“I hope we don’t focus exclusively on New York City, overlooking the talented individuals nationwide pursuing positions as mayor and other roles, like governors,” Harris elaborated. “That’s where I stand. Our party’s vast and filled with many stars.”
Harris’s tepid support of the 33-year-old declared democratic socialist arises as the Democratic party — especially its younger base — grapples with the challenge of generational shifts among senior lawmakers amid efforts to counter Republican dominance in Washington.
Mamdani’s unexpected primary triumph sparked widespread discussion regarding the Democratic party’s future direction, especially given its declining popularity, as reflected in a recent NBC News survey.
Several top Democrats have held off on endorsing Mamdani. Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie endorsed Mamdani. But, notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New Yorkers, have not yet given him their backing.
Some Democrats have criticized the non-endorsements, arguing that the party has to support its own candidate.
“It is hard for me to understand how the Democratic leadership is not supporting the candidate who won the Democratic primary,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., previously told NBC News.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has reportedly referred to the non-endorsements as “spineless politics.”
Harris announced in July that she would not run for governor of her state, a move that leaves the door open for a potential presidential run in 2028. In her new book “107 Days,” she detailed her decision to not push on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance ignited a national conversation about aging politicians.
“During all those months of growing panic, should I have told Joe to consider not running?” she said in the book. “Perhaps.”
Asked during Monday’s interview whether she believed Democrats were justified in their frustration over older politicians in office, and whether the older politicians should consider retirement, Harris said she “wouldn’t overgeneralize on that.”
She continued, “there are some Democrats who are older in age, but very young in terms of how they are thinking and very bold in terms of how they are thinking.”
“I don’t know that the voters are going to judge strictly on somebody’s age,” she added later.
