NYC Mayor Candidacy Support: Queens Borough President Richards Endorses Mamdani, Encourages Hesitant Democrat Contenders to Follow
Queens Borough President Endorses Democratic Mayoral Nominee Zohran Mamdani
In a significant move, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee, for the November 2025 New York City general election. This endorsement comes as Mamdani is on a "Five Boroughs Against Trump" tour, highlighting how the policies of President Donald Trump are hurting New Yorkers.
Richards, who is Black and represented part of southeast Queens in the City Council, believes that Mamdani is the best candidate to take on Trump. He stated, "Donald Trump wants to break the very values that this borough represents. But with Zohran Mamdani, we have a candidate who gives us hope with proposals like freezing rent increases for stabilized tenants and making buses free."
Mamdani, who has won the backing of U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, several City Council members, and most of the city's major labor unions, seems to be steadily coalescing the party's establishment behind his campaign.
Richards' endorsement may help persuade other Black establishment Democrats to endorse Mamdani, such as U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks (Queens) and Hakeem Jeffries (Brooklyn). Richards advised these Democrats who have been hesitant to embrace Mamdani to do the same, stating, "We must meet this moment, and I believe Zohran Mamdani is the candidate who can bring about the change we need."
Interestingly, Mamdani is the only other Democratic mayoral nominee in the general election, as no other candidates are running as official Democratic nominees. The mayoral field consists of Mamdani, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams (running as an independent), Curtis Sliwa (Republican nominee), and Andrew Cuomo (running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary).
Richards did not endorse a candidate in the primary but is backing Mamdani now because he finds his platform to be "common sense." He commended Mamdani for giving voters and himself "hope" with his affordability-focused platform, which he showcased during the June Democratic primary, inspiring young and first-time voters.
Other party leaders, such as Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, have held off on endorsing in the race. However, Richards' endorsement of Mamdani is intended to send a clear message that they must "meet this moment" and support the best candidate who represents the values of the community.
[1] New York Times - Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Nomination for New York City Mayor
[2] CNN - Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor
[5] Politico - Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Nomination for New York City Mayor
- In the context of the New York City 2025 mayoral race, the endorsement of Zohran Mamdani by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards signals a significant shift in policy-and-legislation and politics, as Richards believes Mamdani's affordability-focused platform is the best solution for New Yorkers struggling under President Trump's policies.
- The endorsement of Zohran Mamdani by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, along with the backing of other prominent Democrats, has stirred conversations in general-news about the coalescing of the party's establishment behind Mamdani's campaign, potentially leading to further support from Black establishment Democrats and the wider political landscape of New York City.
