New Delhi: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will not say whether former Vice President Kamala Harris should run for US president in 2028.
During an interview with journalist Kristen Welker on Sunday, Mamdani was repeatedly asked about Harris’ possible candidacy, but he refused to share his view.
“Former vice president Kamala Harris said just last week she is thinking about running for president again. Would you like to see her running for president again?” Welker asked Mamdani on the ‘Meet the Press’ programme.
Mamdani smiled and ducked the question.
“I have to be honest, I haven’t thought about the candidacies for president this time,” Mamdani said.
His response was seen as an indication of ‘cracks and divisions’ within the Democratic Party, primarily stemming from an ideological clash between the progressive and centrist wings following the 2024 election loss.
Welker seized on the opportunity to hint at infighting within the party, saying, “You are the only Democrat who has not thought about that.”
“And I am proud of that,” Mamdani responded quickly, showing no signs of being put on the spot. “In 2026, I want to be delivering for New Yorkers. And, when it comes to the national level, I want to make sure that we win these midterms and actually have a vision that we are fighting for, not just one that we are fighting against.”
The NYC mayor also asserted that he himself would never run for president.
Welker, not satisfied with his response, pressed him further, framing her question slightly differently this time.
“Given that Harris was the nominee in 2024, do you think she would be the strongest person to represent Democrats in 2028?” she asked.
Mamdani burst out laughing, saying he knew that the journalist was trying to get him to answer the previous question.
“But I have to be honest with you. I think New Yorkers are tired of politicians pontificating about other politicians. What they want to see are results, and that’s why my focus has been more on potholes than on politics,” Mamdani said.
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The infighting
While Harris has hinted at a third presidential run in 2028, some progressives like Mamdani have pointedly sidestepped endorsing her, opting instead to focus on local results rather than national party figures. Leaders like Mamdani have become standard-bearers for a ‘democratic socialist’ agenda that clashes with establishment views.
Infighting among Democrats currently centres on a divide between pragmatic and progressive wings, often triggered by tactical decisions on legislative battles and compromises with Republicans. Three fronts where the Democrats are struggling to unify are:
Budget and policy: Democrats are split on how to address the $5.4 billion budget deficit in New York, with disagreements over property tax and corporate tax.
Foreign policy: The party remains deeply divided over the administration’s handling of international conflicts, particularly regarding arms sales and policy toward Israel and Palestine.
Midterm strategy: While some party members are pushing for a more combative “fighter” stance against the Donald Trump administration, others emphasise moderate compromise to regain the majority.
(Edited by Prashant Dixit)