Carl Heastie, Another Democratic Holdout, Is Expected to Endorse Mamdani

Carl E. Heastie, the speaker of the New York State Assembly, is expected to endorse his legislative colleague, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, for New York City mayor this week, according to two people with knowledge of his plans.

Mr. Heastie had been among several prominent Democrats who had resisted endorsing Mr. Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary by a significant margin, with some expressing reservations about Mr. Mamdani’s desire to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and his criticism of Israel.

But in recent days, Gov. Kathy Hochul, the most prominent holdout, got off the fence and backed Mr. Mamdani, who holds a commanding polling lead.

Ms. Hochul wrote in a New York Times essay this week that despite some disagreements with Mr. Mamdani, she was “confident that he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.”

The delay in Mr. Heastie’s public support partly reflected the unique dynamics of the large Democratic majority in the Legislature and the antipathy some in his delegation feel toward Mr. Mamdani. But his backing is emblematic of the growing realization among Democrats that Mr. Mamdani is likely to win this fall.

Mr. Heastie’s likely endorsement was first reported by the New York Post. Representatives for him and for Mr. Mamdani declined to comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Nicholas Fandos contributed reporting.