NEW YORK – As New York’s mayoral race intensifies, candidate Zohran Mamdani energized a crowd of supporters with the backing of prominent political figures, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Addressing the enthusiastic audience on Sunday, Mamdani positioned his campaign as a “movement of the masses” during a rally that heralds the final push before Election Day.

Taking center stage at a lively gathering in Queens, Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, underscored his commitment to challenge the influence of billionaires and “oligarchs” supporting his opponents. The event, which featured two of the nation’s most influential progressives, highlighted Mamdani’s vision of inclusivity and grassroots mobilization.

“When you insist on building a coalition with room for every New Yorker, that is exactly what you create: a tremendous force,” Mamdani declared to the cheering attendees. “This, my friends, was your movement, and it always will be.”

Amidst the chants of his supporters, Mamdani laid out his platform, promising to hire thousands of new teachers, renegotiate city contracts, implement a rent freeze for low-income residents, expand affordable housing, and provide universal childcare. His ambitious agenda seeks to reshape the city’s future by prioritizing the needs of everyday New Yorkers.

With early voting already underway before the November 4 election, Mamdani finds himself in a heated contest against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after his primary loss, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who also campaigned in Queens on Sunday.

Cuomo, in a bid to sway voters, criticized Mamdani during a radio interview, portraying him as an inexperienced candidate whose policies could jeopardize the city’s stability. He asserted his own credentials as the true Democrat in the race, warning that Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform could drive away residents and businesses.

“The socialists want to take over the Democratic Party. That’s what Bernie Sanders is all about. That’s what AOC is all about,” Cuomo said, adding, “He wins, book airline tickets for Florida now.”

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following a barrage of sexual harassment allegations that he denies. Mamdani has often pressed Cuomo over the allegations, and on Sunday he told the crowd that it is time to leave behind the former governor’s “playbook of the past.” But he urged supporters not to take his lead in the polls for granted and to turn out to vote.

“We cannot allow complacency to infiltrate this movement,” Mamdani said.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have supported his campaign for months including before the Democratic primary in June. On Sunday they cast Mamdani as an antidote to what they called the creeping authoritarianism of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes Queens, said a victory for Mamdani will send a message nationally that a progressive message can prevail.

“It is not a coincidence that the very forces that Zohran is up against in this race mirrors what we are up against nationally … an authoritarian, criminal presidency fueled by corruption and bigotry, and an ascendant right-wing extremist movement,” she said.

Sanders said a Mayor Mamdani would represent “not the billionaire class” but working families.

“In the year 2025, when the people on top have never, ever had so much economic and political power, is it possible for ordinary people, for working class people, to come together and defeat those oligarchs?” Sanders said. “You’re damn right we can.”

Under the slogan “New York Is Not For Sale,” the rally featured rousing speeches from religious and labor leaders along with state elected officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The event was emceed by Sarah Sherman of “Saturday Night Live.”

Mamdani recently received an endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a moderate New York Democrat. Jeffries, in a statement, said he has disagreements with Mamdani but supports him as the nominee, adding that the party should unify against Republicans and Trump.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams abandoned his reelection campaign and endorsed Cuomo.