New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani received a hero’s welcome from lefty members of Congress – including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders – as he trekked down to Washington DC Wednesday in hopes of garnering more support from an array of Dems.
The 33-year-old socialist attended a breakfast event hosted by Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at the AC Hotel in Navy Yard that was filled with mostly House Democrats, including Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who endorsed Mamdani after his shocking Democratic mayoral primary win last month.
Many of Congress’ most ardent liberals were quick to get face time with Mamdani and pose for photos.
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani leaving the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16, 2025. Getty Images
New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler leaving a meeting between Mamdani and House Democrats at the AC Hotel on July 16, 2025. Mattie Neretin – CNP“Had a great meeting with @Zohran Mamdani and am deeply impressed by the grassroots campaign he is running,” Sanders (D-VT), a former presidential candidate, wrote on X while sharing photos of the two socialists sporting wide smiles.
“The Oligarchs are prepared to undermine democracy & spend tens of millions to buy the election for his opponents. We will not allow that to happen. Stand with Zohran.”
In turn, Mamdani said he was honored “to meet with one of my heroes.”
Mamdani also posed for photos with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) — as he was showered with praise.
“Zohran Mamdani is an incredible talent. He’s going to be a great mayor for New York City. I was proud to endorse him before the primary,” Jayapal said.
Mamdani with Sen. Bernie Sanders after a meeting in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16, 2025. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Image
Mamdani speaking with Sen. Chris Van Hollen. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Sanders and Mamdani posing together after their DC meeting on Wednesday. @berniesanders“Anybody that’s staying out at this point instead of endorsing this incredible dynamic leader is missing an opportunity.”
“It was a great meeting, lots of great ideas, lots of creativity,” added Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM).
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) even referred to Mamdani as “our” Democratic nominee for mayor.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal called Mamdani an “incredible talent” after the meeting. Mattie Neretin – CNP
New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez speaking to the media after her meeting with Mamdani. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock
California Rep. Mark Takano speaking to reporters following the meeting with Mamdani. Mattie Neretin – CNP“@Zohran Mamdani got an energetic and welcoming reception in DC this morning,” he wrote on X. “Huge thanks to @AOC for organizing the breakfast. Proud of our Democratic nominee for NYC mayor. Let’s win!”
The breakfast lasted about two hours, with Mamdani digging into campaign strategy and takeaways from his major victory over establishment candidate, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for the Dem nomination, Politico reported, citing attendees.
Ocasio-Cortez said she believes the event went well for Mamdani.
“I think getting to know people in person can always help and I think something that I share with Zohran is that the way sometimes people are painted in media doesn’t always align with who we really are as individuals and so I think when people get to know him as a person, when people get to know us as real people, what they find kind of surprises them in a positive way,” she told a NY1 reporter after the meeting.
Ahead of the event, Ocasio-Cortez — who loudly backed Mamdani during the primary race – had said she was eager for DC folks to meet her fellow lefty firebrand face to face to hear his plan for the Big Apple.
AOC hopes the breakfast is “constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee.” REUTERS
AOC congratulating Mamdani on his primary victory. @aoc/TikTok“I think a lot of people just need to get to know folks before they issue an endorsement. I hope that this conversation can be constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee,” Ocasio-Cortez said, according to Fox News.
Noticeably absent were key congressional Dems, including House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Neither Jeffries nor Schumer has publicly endorsed Mamdani yet.
“I’m excited to go to Washington, DC, to speak with Congressman Jeffries, to speak with Senator Schumer, to speak with leaders of our party across the country,” Mamdani had said Tuesday in the lead up to the event.
Jeffries and Schumer, though, both signaled this week they planned to meet with Mamdani back in New York — and not in DC.
Some of the other Democrats on hand for the event included Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), according to photos from outside the breakfast and a Fox News report.
Mamdani’s trip to DC came as he is also seeking to make nice with Big Apple business leaders who have reacted to his shock win over Cuomo with full-blown panic.
Mamdani, who just last month said billionaires shouldn’t exist, met with roughly 100 CEOs on Tuesday for a highly anticipated powwow amid concerns over his radical plan to “tax the rich.”
During the sit-down, the socialist doubled down on his vow to hike taxes for the ultra-wealthy and large corporations.
His move to engage business leaders and Dems, alike, has indicated a shift toward broader outreach ahead of November’s general election, where he’ll face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden.
