Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to meet with United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain at Gracie Mansion later today, continuing his recent discussions with labor leaders about supporting a progressive candidate for president in 2028.
The 5 p.m. meeting with Fain, who leads the more than 100,000-member union representing workers in industries ranging from higher education to aerospace, comes as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighs a potential White House bid.
Mamdani has held a series of private meetings in recent weeks to discuss possible 2028 candidates. During those conversations, he has also privately voiced doubts about whether Ocasio-Cortez, a favorite among socialists, will ultimately enter the race.
Hizzoner “wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently if a moderate candidate is clearly on the rise,” one source who spoke directly with Mamdani told Axios, which first reported on the discussions.
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Progressive activists, including several former members of Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign, have launched the “Ready for AOC” hybrid PAC to encourage the socialist lawmaker to seek the presidency, as The Post previously reported.
Fain drew national attention from the left after leading aggressive strikes against automakers in 2023. He has also been mentioned as a possible presidential contender, though he told the Detroit News last month that he has “no plans” to run for the White House.
The UAW was among the first unions to endorse Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral campaign. It was also the workplace of DSA Rep. Claire Valdez, a close Mamdani ally who worked as a union organizer before seeking elected office.
City Hall representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
