New York City, NY, USA: Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed cautious support for Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor of New York City on September 22.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, Harris carefully framed her endorsement. She did not give full-throated backing to the progressive state assemblyman. “From my perspective, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he deserves support,” Harris said when asked about Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary over former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

When asked again about formally endorsing him, Harris replied, “I support the Democrat in the race, yes,” adding, “He’s not the only standout… I hope we don’t focus so much on New York City that we overlook other emerging leaders across the country.”

This interview marked Harris’s first major TV appearance since her loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and coincided with the release of her memoir, 107 Days.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist with backing from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is competing in a three-way mayoral race against incumbent Eric Adams and Cuomo, both running as independents.

Polls currently show Mamdani holding a lead, but his campaign faces challenges due to reluctance among senior Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have not yet endorsed him, reflecting concerns about his policy positions and the potential national consequences.

Earlier this month, Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani, emphasizing that his focus on housing affordability positions him well to challenge Donald Trump’s influence in the city.

The upcoming November election is shaping up to be crucial: for Adams, it is a test of his first term; for Cuomo, a shot at political resurgence; and for Mamdani, a chance at a historic victory that could provide a major boost to progressives in the United States’ largest city.