Kamala Harris has offered a clearer show of support for Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, days after her restrained remarks in a televised interview drew attention.Speaking to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow earlier this week, former vice president had said, “I support the Democrat in the race, sure,” without mentioning Mamdani by name. She added that Democrats should also look to other candidates across the country, noting, “We got a big tent, and we got a lot of stars,” reported Fox News.Her comments were seen as muted, but on Wednesday she followed up with a private 10-minute phone call to Mamdani, initiated by Harris herself. According to the New York Times, Mamdani said that Harris “reiterated her support” and said he was excited the ex-vice president “reached out for a conversation.” The pair discussed his affordability agenda and what Mamdani described as “the importance of joy amidst the struggle of our politics.” As per CNN, the tone of the call was notably warmer and more fulsome than her TV remarks, with Harris telling Mamdani that while they did not agree on everything, for New York to succeed, he needed to succeed.Sources also said no joint appearance or formal endorsement was planned.Harris also spoke about the call during the launch of her memoir, 107 Days. “One of the reasons I am excited about your candidacy is you are bringing people in,” she said, according to CNN. She added that Mamdani’s campaign was giving a voice to those who had “felt left out.”The move makes Harris one of the most prominent national Democrats to back Mamdani, who has not yet secured endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed him earlier this month, writing that New York “deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers,” reported Fox News.Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has drawn support from younger voters and progressive activists, though he has faced resistance from moderates. Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, campaigned with him during the primaries, noted the New York Times. Mamdani had voted for Harris in 2020 on the Working Families ballot line but supported the ‘Uncommitted’ protest movement earlier this year to challenge the Biden administration’s Israel policy, a stance that unsettled some Democrats. He has also faced criticism for not condemning the anti-Israel slogan ‘globalise the intifada.’Despite their ideological differences, Harris and Mamdani share immigrant family backgrounds and generational appeal. Harris, 60, is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, while Mamdani, 33, was born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent and grew up in New York City.Mamdani faces former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary in June. Cuomo has dismissed the value of endorsements, labelling Mamdani a “weathervane spinning with the wind” and a “hypocritical chameleon” over shifting positions, including an apology to police for past criticism, reported the New York Times.Shortly after his call with Harris, Mamdani held a news conference outside a hospital, attacking what he called Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” He warned the policy could force over 2 million New Yorkers to lose health coverage and “throw the very existence” of many hospitals “into jeopardy,” the New York Times reported.Mamdani said Harris’ support extended beyond the election. “I appreciated the manner in which we have a shared understanding that the success of this campaign will be in the governance of the city and the delivery of this agenda,” he said, as per the New York Times.
