Well, that was awkward.
One of Zohran Mamdani’s staffers cut short an interview with Politico when the mayor-elect was asked if US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) should face a primary challenge in 2028.
“I’m sorry, Joe, we gotta go,” a Mamdani spokesperson interrupted reporter Joe Anuta, according to the report.
The cringey exchange came a day after Mamdani’s historic Election Day victory, a result with Earth-shaking implications for New York City and the Democratic Party.
The unapologetic democratic socialist received a mixed-to-cool reception from many establishment Democrats during his phenomenal rise from dark-horse mayoral candidate to mayor-elect.
Schumer notably did not endorse Mamdani, but did post a statement congratulating him on his victory.
Progressives, however, rallied behind Mamdani, who had lunch with firebrand US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) — one of his biggest backers — Wednesday in Queens, documenting the powwow in a post on X.
“A busy first day as your Mayor-elect: early morning interviews, transition announcements and meetings. More to say on all of it tomorrow,” he wrote.
“But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman @AOC at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.”
Some Democrats have been pushing Ocasio-Cortez to primary Schumer.
Anuta, the Politico reporter, doggedly tried to get Mamdani to answer the query about whether Schumer should face a challenge, despite the interruption.
“I’m focused on this transition, my brother, but thank you,” Mamdani replied.
Schumer — the ultimate Democratic insider — pointedly withheld endorsing Mamdani, or even saying how he voted in the city’s election.
But he did congratulate the upstart – with whom he had partnered in 2021 to help debt-ridden taxi drivers – “on his well-earned & historic victory.”
“We have worked together on a number of vital issues — like delivering historic debt relief for taxi drivers,” Schumer posted on Tuesday night.
“I look forward to building on that partnership to keep NYC strong, fair, more affordable & thriving.”
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