Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, influential in some areas Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani struggled to reach in the primary, declared the democratic socialist as “best candidate in the race” on Friday.
In his remarks, Richards called on other Democrats to get behind Mamdani’s vision for the city, saying that “now is not the time to sit on the fence” as working people continue to struggle across the five boroughs.
“Count me in as a Democratic socialist,” said Richards, a moderate Democrat, adding that Mamdani’s populist policies were not purely “socialist” ideas but “humane” ones.
Mamdani thanked Richards for the endorsement and lauded him as having “showcased for so long across this borough and across the city what it means to fight for working people.”
Richards’ endorsement is a boon for Mamdani’s campaign, as it has struggled to reach more conservative Democrats in key areas of Queens, where the beep is influential. He did not give an endorsement in the Democratic mayoral primary, and he endorsed Mayor Adams in 2021.
“This is not about socialism,” Richards said at the Richmond Hill appearance. “It’s not about establishment. This is about working people and ensuring that working people can thrive and survive in this very city that’s becoming out of reach.”
Mamdani is expected to face off against Andrew Cuomo, Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden in November’s general election.
Friday’s stop marked the last of Mamdani’s week-long five-borough anti-Trump tour. Over the week of campaign stops, a range of officials from across the Democratic political spectrum voiced their support for the candidate.
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