Sanders and Mamdani Unite Progressive Voters in NYC Mayoral Showdown

Sanders, Mamdani Rally Progressive Voters as NYC Mayor's Race Intensifies A crowd of approximately 1,700 people packed the auditorium at Brooklyn College in New York City on Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, for a joint town hall meeting with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The event was part of Sanders' Fighting the Oligarchy Tour, a series of town halls aimed at engaging progressive voters nationwide. At the town hall, Mamdani drew praise from the crowd as he outlined his vision for the city's future, with many attendees expressing enthusiasm for his progressive policies. "We need to take on the billionaires and special interests that have been running this city into the ground," Mamdani said. "It's time for a new kind of politics in New York City, one that puts people over profits." Sanders, who has been touring the country promoting his message of economic inequality and corporate influence, also addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for progressive change at all levels of government. "We can't just focus on Washington; we have to take back our cities and states from the oligarchy," he said. The event was a significant moment in the New York City mayoral race, which has drawn national attention as progressives view candidates like Mamdani as a way to energize their movement. With polls showing Mamdani as the clear frontrunner in the contest, his campaign is gaining momentum and sparking concern among establishment politicians. Mamdani's campaign has been built on a platform of progressive policies, including affordable housing, free public college tuition, and a $15 minimum wage for city workers. His opponents have criticized these proposals as unrealistic and overly ambitious, but Mamdani remains confident in his ability to implement them. The New York City mayoral election is scheduled for November 2025, with the primary set to take place in June of that year. As the campaign season heats up, both supporters and critics of Mamdani's policies will be watching closely to see if he can maintain his momentum and secure the nomination. In a statement, a spokesperson for the New York City Democratic Party said, "We welcome Senator Sanders' support for Zohran Mamdani, but we also believe that our party has a diverse range of qualified candidates who share our values." The spokesperson declined to comment further on the town hall event or Mamdani's campaign. The Brooklyn College town hall meeting was a significant moment in the New York City mayoral race, with both Sanders and Mamdani using the platform to rally progressive voters and promote their policies. As the election season continues, it remains to be seen whether Mamdani can maintain his momentum and secure the nomination, or if other candidates will emerge as serious contenders. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*