Queens state Senator and former City Comptroller John Liu on Monday said he is backing Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani as his top choice in the Democratic mayoral primary despite their sharp disagreements on Israel.
Liu, who represents Flushing in Albany’s upper chamber, said during a June 2 City Hall news conference that he supports Mamdani because of their shared views on several issues and the lawmaker’s strong character. Mamdani is running in second place to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the crowded June 24 primary and appears to be closing the gap between them, according to a recent poll.
The senator, who previously served as city comptroller between 2010 and 2013 and made an unsuccessful mayoral bid 12 years ago, added that he admires Mamdani’s focus on education for immigrant communities, view of early childhood education as an “economic engine,” and understanding of the need for public safety. He also praised Mamdani’s ability to come up with “practical policies” and make them understandable to New Yorkers as well as his “integrity.”
“He is a public official who has no scars, no marks,” Liu said. “People may disagree with him on issues, but he has held himself to the utmost integrity. His thousands of of small contributors have powered his campaign like no one a few months ago would have imagined. And because of that, he doesn’t owe anybody anything. He’s not beholden to any moneyed interests.”
Liu said Mamdani’s integrity extends to his views on controversial issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, where they have a “big disagreement.” The Senator is pro-Israel, while Mamdani, who is Muslim, has for years been fiercely critical of its government and advocated for the rights of Palestinians.
“Though I differ from him, we have had honest conversations, and he has never lost his integrity in the process,” Liu said. “I know that he has opened his eyes much more to the need to protect all New Yorkers, including recognizing the unmistakable spike in anti-Jewish hatred.”
Mamdani has continued to hold that stance since Israel’s nearly two-year military campaign in Gaza began in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack on the Jewish state, in which the group killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages. Some 58 hostages remain in captivity today.
Nevertheless, Mamdani has called the onslaught in Gaza, which the Palestinian Health Ministry reported has killed over 50,000 Palestinians as of March, a “genocide” on multiple occasions and urged the federal government to cease providing Israel with military aid. The Assembly member’s views have drawn harsh rebukes from many Jewish elected officials and organizations across the city, who have accused him of being antisemitic.
Cuomo, the front-runner in the mayor’s race, has also blasted Mamdani, along with other opponents, as antisemitic for either being critical or not supportive enough of Israel. Meanwhile, he has positioned himself as the candidate who would most effectively combat rising antisemitism as mayor.
Mamdani has insisted that he would also combat antisemitism as mayor through his proposal to establish a “Department of Community Safety” charged with tackling hate crimes. He said he would increase funding for “proven anti-hate crime programming” by 800%.
When asked whether the pro-Palestine movement should bear responsibility for the recent rise in antisemitism in the city and across the country, Mamdani said Monday that he promotes “non-violence.”
“My politics is rooted in a politics of non-violence, the belief that a world of justice and safety and liberty is one where we have to have consistency applied to all,” Mamdani said. “As I say this, I speak to Jewish New Yorkers who have told me that they have started to lock their doors, where before they never did, who have told me that they have gone to synagogue and heard the door open and look back, not knowing who it may be. And what they deserve is to be protected. What they deserve is safety.”
