Former President offers to be “sounding board” for frontrunner in surprise weekend call
Former President Offers Support to NYC Mayoral Frontrunner
In an unprecedented move just days before New York City’s mayoral election, former President Barack Obama called Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani on Saturday to praise his campaign and offer ongoing support. The roughly 30-minute private conversation represents a significant signal of support from one of the Democratic Party’s most influential figures, even as Obama maintains his practice of avoiding formal endorsements in municipal races.
Obama’s Words of Encouragement
According to sources familiar with the discussion, Obama told the 34-year-old assemblyman that his campaign has been “impressive to watch” and expressed investment in Mamdani’s success beyond the November 4 election. The two discussed the substantial challenges of building an administration capable of delivering on Mamdani’s affordability agenda for New York City.
Obama reportedly made light of his own past political missteps while noting how few errors the candidate had made “under such a bright spotlight.” The conversation also touched on tentative plans for a future meeting in Washington, though no date has been set.
Second Call From Former President
This marks the second time Obama has reached out to Mamdani since the Queens assemblyman defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary. Patrick Gaspard, an adviser to Mamdani and Obama’s former political director, characterized the first call as coming “unsolicited, unprompted” from the former president.
“The fact that he placed that phone call to us and then the news of that call making its way into the world was a very important signaler to many in the political establishment,” Gaspard explained.
Democratic Party Divisions
The timing of Obama’s outreach is particularly noteworthy given divisions within the Democratic establishment over Mamdani’s candidacy. Senator Chuck Schumer has yet to declare his support, saying only “We’re continuing to talk,” while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani only on the eve of early voting.
According to research from the Pew Research Center, presidential influence on down-ballot races can significantly impact voter turnout and enthusiasm, particularly among younger voters.
Mamdani’s spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a statement: “Zohran Mamdani appreciated President Obama’s words of support and their conversation on the importance of bringing a new kind of politics to our city.”
Obama’s Evolving Political Role
The conversation came on the same day Obama was campaigning in Virginia for gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and in New Jersey for Mikie Sherrill, both Democrats facing close races. Obama has previously stated that he now sees his role in politics as shifting “from player to coach,” telling interviewers he wants to focus on “promoting, lifting up, shining a spotlight on that next generation of leadership and talent.”
A person close to Obama indicated he views Mamdani’s rise as an example of such leadership emerging independently, reflecting his vision for the Democratic Party’s future. The National Democratic Institute notes that mentorship from established political figures can prove crucial for emerging leaders navigating complex governance challenges.
Drawing Inspiration From Obama’s 2008 Campaign
During their conversation, Mamdani told Obama that he had drawn inspiration for his recent speech on Islamophobia from Obama’s historic 2008 speech on race during his first presidential run. The comparison between Mamdani’s campaign and Obama’s 2008 run has been frequently drawn by political observers. Both featured grassroots organizing, heavy youth turnout, and messages of transformational change.
Mamdani’s campaign boasts 90,000 volunteers and has featured rallies with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Generational Tensions in Democratic Party
While Obama’s support provides a boost to Mamdani’s campaign, it also highlights the generational tensions within the Democratic Party. Some establishment Democrats have expressed concerns about Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform and relative inexperience.
However, as documented by the Brookings Institution, younger voters increasingly favor progressive economic policies and candidates who promise systemic change.
Strategic Balance
The outreach from Obama represents a careful balancing act. By offering private support rather than a public endorsement, Obama signals approval while maintaining his stated policy of staying out of municipal races. This approach allows him to nurture emerging talent without appearing to override local democratic processes.
As New York City heads into its election, Obama’s involvement underscores the national significance of the race. A Mamdani victory would not only make him the youngest mayor in a century and the city’s first Muslim mayor but would also represent a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party at a time when the party is reassessing its direction following recent electoral challenges.
