Bill Kristol Endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor

Bill Kristol, a prominent figure in the neoconservative movement and a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, has publicly endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist candidate for mayor of New York City. Kristol's endorsement, made during an October 9 interview with Claremont McKenna College's student publication, marks a significant moment as it represents a crossover of support from a traditionally conservative figure to a leftist candidate. Kristol expressed his disapproval of the idea of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo returning to office, labeling it “ridiculous.”

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In his remarks, Kristol acknowledged that while he wishes Mamdani were less critical of Israel, he still finds him to be an impressive politician. He stated, “You know, New York City gets to have a left-wing mayor... I think a lot of the younger Democrats are quite impressive.” Kristol indicated that he would likely vote for Mamdani if he were a New York City resident, emphasizing that the alternative of Cuomo was unacceptable. He also noted that while he might have preferred a more centrist candidate in a different context, he believes Mamdani would not “destroy” the city with his proposed policies.

BreitbartBill Kristol Says He Would Vote For Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

Despite his endorsement, Kristol expressed skepticism about some of Mamdani's economic proposals, suggesting that they might be ineffective or wasteful. He remarked that Mamdani's plan to establish government-run grocery stores could be “a little bit of a waste of taxpayer money” but ultimately deemed it harmless. Kristol criticized the reaction from some conservatives to Mamdani's candidacy as “a little hysterical,” acknowledging the political landscape's complexity.

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Mamdani's candidacy has not been without controversy. He has faced significant criticism from conservative groups, including an advertisement from Veteran Action that labels him as a “foreign-born Islamist” and questions his qualifications for mayor. The ad highlights Mamdani's refusal to explicitly denounce Hamas, framing him as a threat to American values. Critics have pointed to his past statements and associations, suggesting that they reflect a radical agenda incompatible with mainstream American politics.

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Kristol's endorsement has drawn mixed reactions, with some conservatives mocking his decision as indicative of a broader ideological shift within the Republican Party. Activist Christopher Rufo commented on social media, questioning the sincerity of Kristol's “principled conservatism” in light of his support for a candidate like Mamdani.

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The New York City mayoral race is set to take place on November 4, 2025. As the election approaches, Mamdani's campaign will likely continue to navigate the challenges posed by both his progressive platform and the criticisms from various factions within the political landscape.

Bill Kristol Says He Would Vote For Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

• “Bill Kristol: I think a lot of the younger Democrats are quite impressive.” — Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol Says He Would Vote For Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

• “I really can't think—the idea of going back to Cuomo is just, I think, ridiculous.” — Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol Says He Would Vote For Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor

• “He’s a very impressive politician. I don’t know that he’s going to be a very good mayor. He’s 33 years old, he’s never run anything. They’re good people who could work for him though, in New York,” — Bill Kristol

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• “Post-9/11 veterans are shocked that a foreign-born Islamist may become the next mayor of New York City.” — Mark Lucas, Founder of Veteran Action

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