Zohran Mamdani Endorses Aber Kawas in Queens Assembly Race

Following his recent mayoral election victory, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has endorsed Aber Kawas, a Palestinian American activist, in a local legislative race in Queens. This endorsement, announced during a closed-door meeting of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) last Wednesday, is notable as it marks Mamdani’s first significant involvement in a local electoral contest since his election win on November 4, 2023.

Kawas is vying for the Assembly seat currently held by Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who plans to vacate her position to pursue a state Senate candidacy in the upcoming primary elections scheduled for March 2024. Gonzalez-Rojas, a fellow DSA member whose district encompasses Jackson Heights, has endorsed her chief of staff, Brian Romero, as her successor.

At the DSA meeting, supporters of Romero argued for his suitability based on his strong community ties and fluency in Spanish, which resonates in a predominantly Hispanic area. According to multiple sources present at the meeting, Romero’s extensive experience on local issues further strengthens his candidacy. In contrast, Kawas’s supporters highlighted her unique background, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has become a significant concern in local politics.

During the meeting, Joe Stanton, a political adviser to Kawas, emphasized the necessity of having a Palestinian Arab candidate in the race. He stated, “We have to actually run a Palestinian Arab in this race because we need to draw the fire of the Israeli lobby, and we have to beat them.” This sentiment was met with applause from those in attendance.

Sam McCann, a key political adviser on Mamdani’s transition team, confirmed that the mayor-elect supports Kawas. “Mamdani told me that while he has tremendous respect for everyone in this race, he has said that he will support Aber in whatever she pursues,” McCann reported. Following this endorsement, the DSA’s Electoral Working Group voted to support Kawas over Romero by a significant margin of 69% to 18%, with the remaining 9% advocating for the DSA not to back any candidate.

This vote represents an initial step in the DSA’s endorsement process, which requires further approval from the Queens chapter and the main leadership committee before becoming official. Nevertheless, Mamdani’s backing positions Kawas favorably for the forthcoming elections.

Romero remains undeterred by the DSA’s endorsement of Kawas. He stated, “While I am a DSA member and support the platform of the organization, I am accountable to many community partners and stakeholders in this district.” Romero has served the community for nearly five years and emphasized his commitment to representing the diverse interests of his constituents.

A spokesperson for Mamdani, who is set to be sworn in on January 1, 2024, did not provide additional comments regarding the endorsement. However, a source close to Romero expressed disappointment that Mamdani did not communicate his endorsement plans beforehand.

As New York’s most prominent DSA official, Mamdani’s involvement in local races could have a substantial impact. His endorsement is expected to carry significant weight in state-level elections next year. Interestingly, Mamdani’s decision to engage in the Queens race contrasts with his reported efforts to dissuade left-wing Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse from challenging Congressman Hakeem Jeffries in the 2026 primary, citing concerns about potential divisions within the Democratic Party as he prepares to assume office.