NEW YORK, NY — Former New York Governor David Paterson issued a statement Tuesday urging Democratic unity ahead of the November general election, warning that continued division in the mayoral race could be a “disservice to the people” of New York City.
In remarks released following a morning press conference outside WABC Radio’s studios, Paterson said he does not support Democratic nominee Zohra Mamdani, despite Mamdani’s Primary victory, and encouraged Democrats to rally around the candidate with the broadest citywide support.
“I have been very clear in my position that I simply do not believe Zohran Mamdani is the best person to lead New York City in these extremely turbulent times,” Paterson said. “We cannot afford ideas without a plan for implementation or funding.”
Paterson acknowledged Mamdani’s effective primary campaign, which he said energized young voters, but emphasized the broader and more diverse electorate of the general election. He urged Democrats to unite behind the most viable candidate to prevent internal fragmentation ahead of the November 4 vote.
“Democrats will be doing a disservice to the people they wish to serve if they do not come together and decide to support whichever candidate has the most support among them,” Paterson stated.
Citing the challenges facing the city—such as a strained budget, education funding concerns, and healthcare system pressures—Paterson stressed the need for experienced leadership and warned that disunity could weaken the party’s ability to govern effectively.
He concluded by encouraging remaining Democratic candidates to consider stepping aside in the coming weeks to consolidate support and avoid what he called “cannibalizing each other’s support.”
