Democratic New York state Sen. Zellnor Myrie just got a big boost in his New York City mayoral bid.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) endorsed Myrie on Friday morning on MSNBC, enthusiastically giving the state senator his first major endorsement in the race. Goldman represents New York’s 10th Congressional District, which includes lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.
“I’m very proud to endorse Zellnor to be the next Democratic nominee for mayor in New York City,” he said. “We are facing in this city a number of different crises that are just not getting the proper attention that they’re due.”
“Zellnor is a true visionary. He’s someone who is really poised to lead the next generation of Democrats, both in New York City as well as the country. He balances the vision, the courage of his convictions, but also the very smart pragmatic policies that our city really needs,” he added.
Myrie has been a middling candidate in the race so far and has struggled with raising his name recognition. A recent poll showed 76% of New York City voters were unsure what to think about Myrie, though that problem wasn’t unique to him. Only former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams had decisive views from more than 70% of those polled.
Goldman’s endorsement, along with the national attention on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, could help address Myrie’s name recognition problem in a crowded Democratic primary. Cuomo, who hasn’t entered the race yet, is viewed as a favorite if he decides to run. Without him, Myrie will compete with fellow State Sen. Jessica Ramos, assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, former city comptroller Scott Stringer, city comptroller Brad Lander, and Adams for the mayoral throne.
Adams’ corruption trial and unpopularity have made his hold on the mayor’s office tenuous. Another mayoral poll showed him at 9% support, trailing Lander at 10% and Cuomo at 35%. Myrie had just 3% support.
The state senator said he was “honored” to receive Goldman’s endorsement. Myrie represents the state Senate’s 20th district in Brooklyn and has made affordability a hallmark of his campaign. His plan to build and preserve 1 million homes in the city has been his attempt to separate himself from other candidates, hoping to solve the city’s housing crisis.
“That ability to stay in the city, for it to be affordable, for it to be livable, and, most importantly, for it to be safe, is slipping away for too many of us,” he said in the interview. “I think people want two things. It’s simple. They want to be able to afford to stay here, and they want the city to be safe, and that’s what I plan to do.”
Myrie has raised $647,599 for his campaign so far, qualifying to receive matching funds from the city, but he still trails Adams, former city comptroller Scott Stringer, and city comptroller Brad Lander in campaign funds. Cuomo would likely lead Myrie in fundraising as well if he entered the race.
He’s been a proponent of New York’s congestion pricing plan, criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, for pausing the initiative and directing some of the blame to Adams as well.
“Speaking of failures of leadership, where is Mayor Adams? When the Governor announced an ‘indefinite’ delay of congestion pricing, the Mayor vocally supported the decision. When the Governor proposed her regressive tax on NYC businesses & workers to replace the lost revenue, the Mayor said nothing — all day,” he said then.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Other Democrats in the race have already drawn endorsements from higher-profile Democrats. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) backed Stringer, while New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has endorsed Lander.
The New York mayoral Democratic primary will be held on June 24.
