Mayoral frontrunner and unabashed socialist Zohran Mamdani was stood up by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson Tuesday — after his campaign jumped the gun in announcing her endorsement, The Post has learned.
Despite being touted by the Mamdani campaign as the top-billed Bronx elected official set to back the Democratic nominee, the borough president was noticeably absent from the event outside Yankee Stadium Tuesday morning.
The DSA lawmaker’s team chalked the public ghosting up to a scheduling conflict — but sources with knowledge of the situation said Gibson had never confirmed she was backing Mamdani.
Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, was stood up by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. REUTERS“It’s a surprisingly amateurish move,” one source said.
“It’s surprising to see a f—k up like this,” the source added, giving the campaign credit for its track record during the Democratic primary race.
Another source was befuddled by Gibson’s absence, saying she typically goes along with the rest of the Bronx contingent.
Hours after the apparent snub, Gibson’s reps still wouldn’t say if the boro prez was backing Mamdani’s candidacy.
The endorsement announcement came as a surprise to political insiders Tuesday morning.
Sources said Gibson never made an official announcement backing Mamdani. LP MediaJust the day prior, Gibson made an impassioned speech introducing Mayor Eric Adams at the final event of the city’s summer concert series.
“He’s a friend of our borough,” she said in a clip shared by Adams’ campaign.
“He is a five-borough mayor, and he loves the boogie-down Bronx. He has delivered for us, he always shows up for us, and I’m so grateful he’s here with us.”
Bronx pols who did show up as announced for the Mamdani endorsement included City Council members Oswald Feliz, Diana Ayala and Kevin Riley, as well as the Bronx Democratic Party leader, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who tried to round up a slate of support in the borough.
“My understanding was that borough president Gibson couldn’t join us this morning,” Mamdani said when reporters asked about her absence and that of State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, another prominent Bronx pol.
“As for Speaker Heastie, I’m praying for a speedy recovery for his surgery,” he added.
Heastie was not on the campaign’s advisory about the event, but is among several prominent state Dems who have yet to officially endorse Mamdani.
