8 hours ago
Last Updated:November 04, 2025, 09:05 IST
New York City is set to witness a tough contest for the next mayor, with Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa eying the post in a closely watched race.
Former US President Barack Obama. (File photo)
In a big twist ahead of the voting phase in the United States, former US President Barack Obama has refused to endorse New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. The development came days after Obama spoke to Mamdani on phone on Saturday and praised his campaign, offering to be a “sounding board" in the future.
New York City is set to witness a tough contest for the next mayor, with Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa eying the post in a closely watched race.
According to The New York Post, Mamdani campaign adviser Patrick Gaspard, who once served as Obama’s White House political director and US ambassador to South Africa, tried to brush off the former President’s silence.
“President Obama doesn’t endorse in local races. That’s a longstanding rule post-presidency," Gaspard told The New York Post. “He endorses in general election races for federal office and governors. His call to Zohran is a huge boost at a critical moment and a signal to New Yorkers."
However, it is important to note that Obama in the past has extended his support to several mayoral candidates, despite his so-called “no-local-endorsement" rule. The former President backed Bill de Blasio in New York City’s 2013 race, Karen Bass and Eric Garcetti in Los Angeles, and Rahm Emanuel in Chicago.
In fact, Obama was just across the Hudson River on Saturday, campaigning for New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill at a rally in Newark, but did not cross into New York City to publicly back Mamdani ahead of Tuesday’s election, the New York Post reported.
If Zohran Mamdani Wins…: Trump Warns
Donald Trump on Monday launched a blistering attack on New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani, calling him a “communist" and warning that he would restrict federal funds to the city if Mamdani becomes mayor.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home."
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...
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New York, United States of America (USA)
First Published:
November 04, 2025, 09:05 IST
News world Obama Snubs Zohram Mamdani Ahead Of NYC Mayoral Election, Refuses To Endorse Him
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