Politics in New York is never just a straight line. It’s a zigzag of endorsements, cold shoulders, and whispers at town halls. One of the loudest questions lately has been: did Mamdani vote for Harris during the 2024 presidential election?
If you’ve been scrolling through social media or catching snippets of NYC's local news, you’ve probably heard conflicting things. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams basically shouted from the rooftops that Zohran Mamdani—the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor—didn't actually back the Vice President. But honestly, the reality is a lot more nuanced than a soundbite.
The Viral Accusation at the Brooklyn Town Hall
It all started at a town hall in Brooklyn. Eric Adams, never one to shy away from a confrontation, publicly accused Mamdani of failing to support Kamala Harris in 2024. This wasn't just a random jab. It was a calculated move during the heat of the 2025 mayoral race, where Mamdani eventually toppled the old guard in a massive upset.
The accusation was simple: Mamdani is too far left, too radical, and he abandoned the Democratic ticket when it mattered most.
But Mamdani didn't just sit there. He fired back. He clarified that he did vote for Harris, but he didn’t do it on the Democratic line. Instead, he used the Working Families Party (WFP) line.
In New York, we have this thing called "fusion voting." It means a candidate can appear on multiple ballot lines. You can vote for a Democrat on the Democratic line or the WFP line, and it all goes to the same person. For progressives and democratic socialists like Mamdani, voting WFP is a way to support the candidate while signaling that they want the party to move further left.
Why the Confusion Exists
So, if he voted for her, why the drama?
It comes down to optics. Mamdani is a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). During the 2024 cycle, the "Uncommitted" movement was gaining huge steam, particularly among voters who were frustrated with the administration's handling of the conflict in Gaza.
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Mamdani was incredibly vocal about Palestinian rights. Because of that, many assumed he might have skipped the top of the ticket or written someone in.
- Adams' Perspective: If you don't pull the lever for the big "D" Democrat, you're a traitor to the party.
- Mamdani's Perspective: Using the WFP line is a valid, tactical way to support the nominee while maintaining ideological integrity.
The Harris Endorsement Paradox
Fast forward to late 2025. The tables turned in a way nobody saw coming.
After Mamdani secured a shocking primary victory over Andrew Cuomo, the national Democratic establishment had to make a choice: embrace the socialist or stay silent. While big names like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer were... let's say "hesitant," Kamala Harris actually offered an endorsement.
It wasn't exactly a warm hug. Critics called it "tepid."
Speaking with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, Harris said, "Look, as far as I'm concerned, he's the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported." She followed that up pretty quickly by mentioning there were "other stars" in the party, too. It was the political equivalent of saying, "He's fine, I guess, but let's talk about someone else."
The "Commie Corridor" and the 2025 Win
You can't talk about Mamdani’s vote without talking about his base. He didn't win the mayor's office by playing nice with the centrist establishment. He won by dominating what pundits call the "commie corridor"—neighborhoods like Astoria, Long Island City, and parts of North Brooklyn.
His coalition was wild:
- Young Leftists: Gen Z and Millennials who want $30 minimum wages.
- Immigrant Strongholds: Massive support from South Asian and Muslim communities.
- The "Squeezed" Middle Class: Renters who are tired of paying 50% of their income to a landlord.
What’s really interesting is that even some Trump voters in working-class immigrant neighborhoods reportedly flipped for Mamdani in the local race. They didn't care about the "socialist" label; they cared about his promise of a rent freeze and fare-free buses.
Fact-Checking the Record
Let's look at the hard facts.
- Did he vote? Yes.
- Was it for Harris? He says yes, via the WFP.
- Is there a public record of who you vote for? No. Ballots are secret. We have to take a politician's word on their specific ballot choice, but his public alignment with the WFP makes his explanation consistent with his political brand.
The narrative that he "didn't vote for Harris" was largely a weaponized talking point used by Eric Adams to try and alienate moderate Black and Latino voters who remain loyal to the traditional Democratic Party structure.
What This Means for NYC in 2026
Now that Mamdani is actually in City Hall, the 2024 vote feels like ancient history, but it set the stage for how he governs. He’s already making moves that make the establishment nervous.
He’s appointed people like Lina Khan, the former FTC chair, to his transition team. He’s pushing for "warm collectivism"—a phrase that has Fox News pundits losing their minds. He’s trying to balance his radical roots with the reality of running a city of 8 million people.
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Practical Takeaways for New Yorkers
If you're trying to keep track of where the city is headed under Mayor Mamdani, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Rent Guidelines Board: This is where his "rent freeze" promise will live or die. If he can actually stop rent hikes on rent-stabilized units, his 2024 ballot choice won't matter to most people.
- MTA Negotiations: He wants fare-free buses. That requires money from Albany. Watch how he interacts with Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been cordial but clearly skeptical.
- The 2026 Midterms: Mamdani’s win is a "beacon" for the left. Expect him to be a major kingmaker (or troublemaker) for congressional candidates next year.
Ultimately, the question of did Mamdani vote for Harris was more about testing his loyalty to a party he’s constantly trying to disrupt. He’s a Democrat by registration, a socialist by conviction, and now, the most powerful man in New York City by popular demand.
To stay informed on the new administration's policies, you should regularly check the official NYC.gov portal for executive orders regarding housing and transit. You might also want to follow the City Council's upcoming hearings on the "affordability agenda" to see how many of those campaign promises actually become law.