Story By MIKE LEE, Photo By ACACIA RODRIGUEZ

On a sunny Tuesday in July, DC 37 leaders and supporters joined Executive Director Henry Garrido in announcing the union’s endorsement of New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City.

“We’re proud to reaffirm our support for Zohran to lead New York City forward as its next mayor,” Garrido said. “DC 37 members helped power him to victory in the mayoral primary, and we will do it again — stronger, louder, and united for a better future.”

Mamdani surpassed expectations by overtaking former Governor, Andrew Cuomo, in polls leading up to Primary Day.

After the first round of ranked choice votes was counted, it was evident that Mamdani was on the path to victory. He ultimately won the Democratic Primary with 56% of the vote.

A relative unknown at the beginning of a crowded field, Mamdani impressed DC 37’s rank-and-file members at the union’s candidate forum in late February.

Throughout Primary season, Mamdani hustled where it mattered and won the hearts and minds of New York City’s Democratic voters, including young progressives who enthusiastically responded to his vision.

“New York City’s largest labor union and the workers who keep this city running trust me to deliver public excellence for all New Yorkers,” Mamdani said in response to the union’s endorsement.

“This is not only an honor I take seriously, it’s a testament to the strength of this movement. With DC 37 by our side, we will grow this movement for affordability to new voters and more communities.”

Labor’s support and turnout for Mamdani will be critical in what is shaping up as an unprecedented General Election. The Democratic nominee will again face a crowded field of candidates on Nov. 4, including Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams, who will both run as Independents, Republican candidate Curtis Silwa, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Walden, who will also run on the Independent line.

Union activists worked hard throughout primary season to elect labor-friendly candidates across citywide offices. As a result of the member mobilization efforts, 41 of the union’s 44 endorsed candidates won their Primary elections.

The DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Department led dozens of Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) through the effort, who made more than 18,000 calls, knocked on nearly 15,000 doors, and sent nearly 200,000 texts to members.

Heading into the Nov. 4 election, the union will again deploy VMOs across the five boroughs to engage in member-to-member outreach and help turn out labor at the polls.

View the full list of DC 37’s Endorsements for the Nov. 4 General Election.

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