Three weeks after rocking the political world with an upset win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani was in Washington, D.C. to meet with House Democrats.

The Wednesday morning meeting, organized by Mamdani supporter Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, offered the nominee a chance to share with national Democrats details on his winning campaign and communications strategy. It also gave those Democrats a chance to take his measure. 

“It’s just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic,” New York Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez said exiting the meeting. “Money cannot buy that.”

What You Need To Know

  • Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of NYC, visited Washington, D.C. Wednesday to attend a meeting with House Democrats

  • The meeting offered the nominee a chance to share with national Democrats details on his winning campaign and communications strategy. It also gave those Democrats a chance to take his measure
  • Although many who attended Wednesday’s meeting praised Mamdani, other Democrats — including some from the New York suburbs who were not at the gathering — have voiced reservations about their party’s nominee
  • Later this week, Mamdani is set to meet with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has not yet formally endorsed him for mayor

All told, a few dozen lawmakers attended the gathering, which took place at a restaurant a few blocks from Capitol Hill. Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell, who chairs the messaging arm for House Democrats, was among those in attendance. Dingell called Mamdani "personable" and "smart," before likening his social media presence to that of the president.  

“He connected with the people of New York. He understands that people are hurting on affordability issues,” she said. “Donald Trump and he both get out and they talk to people, and they listen to people, and they understand how people feel. He’s using social media the way that Donald Trump has.”

Late last month, Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist, soundly beat Andrew Cuomo, a former governor whose father was also governor, in the Democratic mayoral primary.

Although many who attended Wednesday’s meeting praised Mamdani, other Democrats — including some from the New York suburbs who were not at the gathering — have voiced reservations about their party’s nominee. 

That includes Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents parts of Nassau County and Queens. In early July, Suozzi penned an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, arguing Mamdani offers the “wrong solutions” on economic issues. 

Ocasio-Cortez, after the meeting, encouraged those still skeptical of Mamdani to get to know him. 

“Something that I feel like I share with Zohran is that: the way sometimes people are painted in media doesn't always align with who we really are as individuals,” she said. “I think that when people get to know him as a person, when people get to know us as real people, what they find kind of surprises them, I think, in a positive way.”

While in the nation’s capital, Mamdani also met with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who endorsed his mayoral bid. 

Another potentially critical meeting is still on the horizon. 

Later this week, Mamdani is set to meet with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The Brooklyn congressman — and potential next House Speaker — has not yet formally endorsed him for mayor.