Orthodox Jewish leader backs Zohran Mamdani ahead of NYC mayoral election

Just two days before New York City voters head to the polls, a key Satmar Haredi leader has thrown his support behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a move that has stirred divisions within the ultra-Orthodox community.

Rabbi Moshe Indig, a senior political figure in the Ahronim faction of the anti-Zionist Satmar Hasidic community, publicly endorsed Mamdani at a Sunday meeting in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, following days of speculation about a possible Haredi endorsement.

The announcement came after Williamsburg365 posted news of the planned endorsement on Saturday. Rabbi Indig had previously backed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the June mayoral primaries. Cuomo, now running as an Independent, remains Mamdani’s closest rival but trails in second place, according to recent polling.

In an earlier interview with The New York Times, Rabbi Indig hinted that he might endorse Mamdani, describing him as “a very nice guy, very humble.” He added, “According to my conversation, he told me that he’s not an antisemite and he would work with the entire city, all communities. As mayor, we wouldn’t have a problem with him. But because of all the public statements, it’s a little difficult,” referencing Mamdani’s vocal criticism of 'Israel'.

While Mamdani has made efforts to connect with Jewish leaders citywide, his criticism of 'Israeli' policies has polarized Jewish voters. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 60 percent of Jewish voters support Cuomo, compared to 16 percent for Mamdani.

Rabbi Indig’s endorsement has sparked backlash within his own community. Three other Satmar Ahronim leaders quickly voiced their support for Cuomo, underscoring internal divisions. Despite the controversy, Indig continues to serve as the Ahronim faction’s primary spokesperson in Williamsburg, home to over 57,000 members of the Satmar Haredi community. Globally, the Satmar movement numbers around 300,000 followers.

The endorsement could nonetheless prove influential. The Ahronim faction is known for its bloc voting power, credited with helping elect Bill de Blasio in 2013 and Eric Adams in 2021. Political observers say a Mamdani win would mark the third straight mayoral election in which the faction backed the ultimate victor.

Meanwhile, the Zalis faction, the other major branch of the Satmar community, announced it would not endorse a specific candidate. However, it condemned what it called an “irresponsible scare campaign and incitement against Zohran Mamdani,” signaling disapproval of attacks targeting the Democratic nominee.

The Satmar Hasidic group remains firmly anti-Zionist, rejecting the legitimacy of the State of 'Israel' on theological grounds and opposing its secular governance and mandatory military service.