Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is leaning into New York City’s ranked-choice voting system with a slate of endorsements that could shake up the Democratic mayoral primary. This morning, the progressive firebrand revealed her picks exclusively through The New York Times, putting Democratic socialist Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani at the top of her five-candidate list.
Her announcement arrives just weeks before the June 24 primary and represents a strategic push to counter the frontrunner, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who currently holds a commanding double-digit lead in most polls.
AOC Reveals Her Ranked Picks for Mayor
With Mamdani as Ocasio-Cortez’s first choice, her ranked list continued with City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in second place, followed by City Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Brooklyn state Senator Zellnor Myrie.
In a statement, AOC praised Mamdani’s grassroots strength and vision, stating he has “demonstrated a real ability on the ground to put together a coalition of working-class New Yorkers that is strongest to lead the pack.”
Why Mamdani Tops the List
Mamdani has centered his campaign on making life more affordable: proposing free city buses, universal subsidized child care, and a rent freeze for stabilized units. It’s a platform that mirrors the type of kitchen-table progressivism that helped propel AOC to a surprise victory over Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018.
Like Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani has tapped into social media to energize younger voters and mobilize his base.
“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a once-in-a-generation leader and I am honored to have her endorsement,” Mamdani said. “In 2018, AOC shocked the world and changed our politics for the better with her historic victory. On June 24th, we will do the same.”
Cuomo Still Leads, But the Gap Is Narrowing
Polling shows Mamdani closing the gap with Cuomo, but he still trails by 12 points in initial ranked-choice rounds and eight points in later rounds, according to a recent Emerson College survey.
AOC’s endorsement could tighten the race further, especially among undecided progressives.
National Influence Meets Local Politics
The Bronx–Queens congresswoman’s political influence has surged in recent months as she’s toured the country alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders for their “Fight Oligarchy” rallies. The events, staged in opposition to President Trump’s policies, have drawn massive crowds and positioned AOC as a national progressive standard-bearer.
Her clout could also help Speaker Adrienne Adams, a late entrant in the race who remains relatively unknown but has polled in the top four. “She knows what it takes to stand up to Trump and stop Cuomo,” Adams wrote on X. “We’re building the broad, working-class coalition that it takes to win.”
Adams, Lander, and Myrie Also Make the Cut
Four of AOC’s five endorsed candidates also appear on the Working Families Party slate, with only a slight difference in ranking: the WFP put Lander second and state Sen. Jessica Ramos fifth.
That overlap underscores a unified front among progressives determined to prevent Cuomo’s political comeback.
Post-Debate Momentum for the Left
AOC’s announcement came just hours after the first televised debate, where her endorsed candidates launched a coordinated assault on Cuomo. They accused him of corruption, loyalty to wealthy donors, and failing to take accountability for the scandals that drove him out of office.
As the race heads into its final stretch, Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsements could reshape the dynamics and possibly, the outcome of a high-stakes mayoral primary.
Important Voting Information: Register to Vote (Deadline June 14, 2025) – Early Voting June 14-22 – Primary Election Day June 24, 2025
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