The seismic move of major unions shifting their endorsement from a political heavyweight like Andrew Cuomo to a rising progressive, Zohran Mamdani, in the New York City mayoral race signals more than just internal politics—it marks a watershed moment for labor’s future, grassroots power, and the city’s political recalibration.

Who's Who: Andrew Cuomo, former New York Governor, carries a legacy of establishment politics, mixed with both crisis management and scandal. Zohran Mamdani, State Assembly Member from Queens and DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) affiliate, embodies the new vanguard of progressive, community-driven leadership demanding deep change on housing, wages, and policing.

Why Unions Are Switching Sides:

• Disillusionment with the Status Quo: After years of incremental gains and perceived stalling under establishment figures, a growing rank-and-file believes bold, structural change is necessary. Cuomo's moderating approach and controversies (including allegations of misconduct and COVID-related decisions) have weakened his standing.
• Alignment with Worker Concerns: Mamdani’s focus on tenant rights, strong labor protections, and taxing the super-rich aligns closely with union priorities—especially in a city facing housing crises, inequality, and post-pandemic uncertainty.

Broader Societal Impact: The switch portends a realignment: unions are doubling down on defending working-class interests, even if it means betting on outsiders. This has ripple effects on urban politics nationwide, as union support is often an early signal of what voters—especially younger, more diverse constituents—want.

Surprising Trend: For decades, New York unions operated as pragmatic kingmakers, usually backing candidates seen as pragmatic winners. This time, a coalition is prioritizing values over guaranteed access, even breaking with longstanding alliances.

Relevance: In an era marked by voter volatility and jadedness with politics-as-usual, the union pivot to Mamdani reflects growing momentum for a new kind of leadership—one fueled by grassroots demands for justice, transparency, and bold public investment. Whether Mamdani can translate movement energy into executive action remains to be seen, but the message from below is loud and clear: unions want more than incrementalism.

This article was inspired by the headline: 'Major Unions Are Dropping Cuomo to Back Mamdani in N.Y.C. Mayor’s Race - The New York Times'.