The powerful hotel workers union and Local 32BJ are switching their endorsements to Zohran Mamdani, a sign that Democratic power brokers are coalescing behind him.
Two powerful New York City labor unions that had supported former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in this year’s race for mayor have decided to abandon him and endorse Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old state assemblyman who has a commanding lead in the Democratic primary.
The two endorsements, along with one from a third union that did not back a candidate in the primary, seemed to be a clear sign that traditional Democratic power brokers are beginning to consolidate behind Mr. Mamdani.
Leaders of the three unions, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council; Local 32BJ SEIU, which represents doormen and other building workers; and the New York State Nurses Association, said they were supporting Mr. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, because he had made affordability and working people his campaign’s centerpiece. They promised to invest in boots-on-the-ground campaigns to help him beat Mayor Eric Adams in November.
The switch to Mr. Mamdani may be a nod to political reality. The general election is poised to be particularly heated, but the Democratic candidate for mayor is the generally considered the heavy favorite to win in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans six to one.
“We are confident that whenever we’re in a fight, Zohran will be on our side standing up for hospitality workers,” said Rich Maroko, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council’s president. “That’s why we are genuinely excited to endorse Zohran and ready to help him win in November.”
The striking shift in union support came despite some effort by Mr. Cuomo’s camp to persuade labor leaders to hold off in moving to Mr. Mamdani, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
