New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani announced a strategic cross endorsement on Friday, urging their backers to place each other second on their ballots in a joint push to block front runner Andrew Cuomo ahead of the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary.
The cross endorsement comes at a pivotal point in the contest, as early voting opens on June 15 and just eleven days remain until voters head to the polls. Mamdani has risen to second place in most public surveys, challenging Cuomo’s lead, while Lander gained momentum after a New York Times panel of experts named him their top pick for mayor. Their move mirrors the slate issued by the New York Working Families Party, which ranked Mamdani first and Lander second in its recommendations for progressive voters.
Lander stressed that the partnership grew from lessons of past elections when divided support helped elect a mayor he described as among the worst in recent history, an indirect reference to former leadership. He said that by combining forces, they can avoid repeating that mistake and ensure progressive voices shape city hall. Mamdani echoed that view, adding that they share a goal greater than individual success and offering his supporters clear guidance: rank him first and Lander second and leave Cuomo off the list entirely.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not comment on the local race. Instead, the focus has turned to New York City activists and labor leaders who view the alliance as a smart use of the city’s ranked choice voting system. That system lets voters list up to five candidates by preference and reassigns votes from lower ranked candidates until someone exceeds fifty percent. Lander and Mamdani believe their bid will pull together progressive votes and reshuffle support away from Cuomo, who still leads in the first round count but trails when second choices are factored in.
At a joint appearance, Mamdani remarked, “I ask my backers to rank me first and to rank Brad Lander second.” He went on to say that their shared plan will help both campaigns and, more importantly, will stop Andrew Cuomo from winning. Lander added, “We both believe this strategy will give our ideas the best chance in this contest and keep a controversial figure from regaining power.” He noted that they mapped out the plan after a final debate the night before, in which they both criticized Cuomo on policy and conduct grounds.
Observers compare the move to the 2021 mayoral cycle, when Andrew Yang’s public support for Kathryn Garcia boosted her into second place, although that arrangement had been one sided. Lander and Mamdani have created a two way pact that has no precedent in recent city politics and could reshape the way voters cast their ranked ballots.
The announcement comes one day after the last televised debate, which saw Cuomo challenge Mamdani on his legislative record and accuse him of limited experience. Mamdani fired back by contrasting his clean record with the allegations that forced Cuomo to resign as governor, pointing out the former governor’s admitted misconduct and saying that credibility matters more than seniority. Lander used his turn to highlight Cuomo’s past scandals and argued that the city needs leadership focused on equity rather than self promotion.
Progressive groups seized on the endorsement as a landmark moment. Ana María Archila of the Working Families Party called it the most impactful political move of this race, saying that unity among challengers can shift dynamics in a crowded field. Local labor unions and community groups pledged to spread the word about the cross ranking plan, organizing volunteer phone banks and door to door teams to explain the benefits of a united front.
With early voting just days away, the alliance aims to build momentum and create a wave of small donors and volunteers who see the pact as a clear alternative to Cuomo’s established network. As campaigns ramp up final outreach efforts, all eyes now rest on whether this combined strategy can redirect enough votes to alter the outcome of a contest that has divided the city’s progressive base.
