The co-founder of the United Bodegas Association resigned Wednesday over the organization’s endorsement of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Fernando Mateo called the backing by UBA president Radhames Rodriguez a “betrayal” to bodega owners and workers — asserting the group is non-political and a not-for-profit organization that shouldn’t make such endorsements.
“How can Mr. Rodríguez support someone whose positions go against the very people he represents and the business practices we have built for decades?” Mateo said in a statement Wednesday. “We are working hard to maintain good relationships with every candidate running and may the best one win, but we cannot stand behind a political endorsement that hurts the small businesses we were created to defend.”
Mateo said he’d unveil plans for a new organization — the Bodega Alliance — Thursday morning at Mega Food Store on Webster Ave. and E. 170th St. in Claremont.
In 2021, Mateo became the first Latino immigrant to run for mayor as a Republican, winning endorsements from the Bronx and Queens Republican parties in a contest ultimately won by Eric Adams.
On Wednesday, Rodriguez endorsed Mamdani outside a Belmont bodega in the Bronx — despite his pilot plan to open one city government-owned grocery store in each borough. In late June, Rodriguez had ripped such a plan, stating it could hurt his members, forcing them to compete with government entities.
“Zohran Mamdani is being attacked so much for being an immigrant and we’re all immigrants, I think the majority of us here are,” Rodriguez said, speaking in Spanish. “And we are sure that we’d have more access to more opportunities with him than with any other candidates.”
“I’m supporting him because he promised me that any decision that he makes about that, we’re going to come [and have a say],” he added.
