1199SEIU, the largest healthcare union in the country, endorsed Zohran Mamdani on Friday as major organized labor groups coalesce behind the Democratic mayoral nominee following his upset primary win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani has already garnered the backing of DC37, 32BJ, the Hotel Gaming and Trades Council and the United Federation of Teachers, among others. Many of those unions previously supported Cuomo, including 1199.
1199SEIU President Yvonne Armstrong cited Mamdani’s push for affordability in the city as a major reason for their support.
“Working people across New York City are uniting to defend our neighborhoods and our city from unprecedented attacks from extremist politicians and their billionaire donors who are taking away healthcare, ripping families apart and endangering our democracy,” Armstrong said in a statement.
“We are proud to endorse Zohran Mamdani who will fight side-by-side with us to ensure New Yorkers get the services they need, build affordable housing, and create safe communities.”
The organization’s switch to Mamdani comes after Cuomo announced he was staying in the mayoral race as an independent. Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi declined comment.
The health care union’s former president, George Gresham, was a strong ally of Cuomo and led 1199 when it threw its support behind of Cuomo in the primary. After Gresham was voted out in May, hundreds of rank-and-file members pushed the new leadership to rescind their backing of the former governor.
The union has around 200,000 members in the five boroughs.
“I’m proud to earn 1199SEIU’s endorsement, and I look forward to their partnership as we fortify our city for working people and ensure our healthcare system honors both the caregivers who dedicate their lives to healing and the people who rely on their expertise,” Mamdani said.
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