Mamdani Meets With Labor Leaders to Build Progressive 2028 Coalition

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is working to become a central figure in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, Axios reported.

Because he was born in Uganda, Mamdani is ineligible to run for the presidency himself. Instead, he is focusing on building a coalition of progressive and labor leaders to ensure the left wing of the party has a coordinated presence in the next cycle.

The push comes amid uncertainty regarding the political future of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. While many observers believe Ocasio-Cortez may opt for a Senate run in 2028 rather than a White House bid, her absence from the presidential field could leave the party’s insurgent left without a primary contender.

FULL RALLY: Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani, Union Leaders Speak At Labor Rally In New York City

Building a labor-aligned coalition

Mamdani has begun a series of private meetings with influential union heads to discuss potential candidates and endorsement processes. According to Axios, Mamdani recently met with Jimmy Williams Jr., the president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, at Gracie Mansion to discuss the 2028 contest.

During that meeting, Mamdani reportedly asked Williams which presidential candidates he favored and whether the union leader had ever considered running for office himself. Williams told Axios he is “absolutely supportive” of labor movement members running for office at all levels, noting that the union recently helped elect an ironworker to Congress and a member to the Senate, but he added that he has no interest in seeking elected office.

Mamdani’s Bid for 2028 Kingmaker — Photo: politicalwire.com

The Mayor’s outreach extends to other major labor figures. He recently met with Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C.W.A., and plans to meet with Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers. Political Wire reported that Mamdani is arguing to these allies that progressives cannot afford to waste the momentum gained during recent midterm elections.

Mamdani’s strategy appears to be a preemptive move against the rise of moderate candidates. One source told Axios that the Mayor wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize "quickly, strategically and efficiently" if a centrist candidate gains momentum, drawing a parallel to how Barack Obama helped Joe Biden consolidate support against Bernie Sanders in 2020.

The search for a progressive alternative

With Ocasio-Cortez’s path remaining unclear, the progressive wing is beginning to look toward other potential leaders. Some activists are looking toward Michigan’s incoming senator, Abdul El-Sayed, while others are coalescing around California Representative Ro Khanna, who is widely expected to enter the race.

Mamdani says there is ‘absolutely’ a path for a progressive candidate in 2028: Full interview

There is also a growing conversation about whether a candidate from the labor movement could bridge the gap between progressive policy and working-class voters. Bhaskar Sunkara, president of The Nation and a former Bernie Sanders surrogate, has recently advocated for a labor-based candidate.

“Progressive ideas only win when working-class voters see themselves in the fight,” Sunkara told Axios. “There’s no better way to do that than to run an actual worker for president, not a professional politician.”

This idea has been applied to leaders like Shawn Fain, who is known for his critiques of billionaires. While some activists have encouraged Fain to consider a presidential run, he told the Detroit News last month that he has “no plans” to run.

The political math for the left remains complicated. While Democrats of various stripes saw success in last week’s elections—a nationwide rebuke of the Trump administration—Axios noted that this success does not necessarily grant left-wingers a stronger advantage over centrist Democrats heading into 2028.

When asked by WNYC last month about his hopes for Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani declined to predict her moves, stating, “I want to see AOC do whatever it is that AOC wants to do,” and calling her “an inspiration.”