Aoc, Sanders Welcome Mamdani To Dc For His Capitol Hill Debut, Urging Reluctant Dems To 'get To Know Him'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., pulled backmost nan curtain connected New York City mayoral campaigner Zohran Mamdani's "productive" gathering pinch Democratic lawmakers successful Washington, D.C., connected Wednesday. 

When asked by Fox News' Chad Pergram really Mamdani's connection resonated pinch Democrats during a "Communication and Organizing Skillshare Breakfast," Ocasio-Cortez said nan Democratic nominee shared captious insights astir really to "level up each of our games successful position of technique."

The progressive superstar urged nan outstanding Mamdani skeptics to "get to cognize him" earlier "making assessments from what you whitethorn spot connected television." She applauded her caucus for "showing up successful bully faith" to springiness him a adjacent chance and demonstrating a "willingness to perceive and make assessments for themselves."

But erstwhile a newsman asked if House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., would formally endorse Mamdani, Ocasio-Cortez said she wouldn't speak to immoderate individual's endorsement, aliases deficiency thereof. 

AOC WELCOMES SOCIALIST MAMDANI TO NATION'S CAPITAL AS DEM LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS

Zohran Mamdani, left, joined Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a meal arena successful Washington, D.C., connected Wednesday morning.  (AP Images)

Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., person confirmed plans to meet pinch Mamdani successful New York City later this week, but some apical Democratic leaders from New York person yet to endorse nan self-described Democratic socialist candidate. 

MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS

"We want Democrats to beryllium successful," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters. "We want Democrats to win. As nan Democratic nominee for New York City, Zohran Mamdani is overwhelmingly favored to triumph nan wide election. And successful doing so, we want nan adjacent politician of New York City, a Democrat, to beryllium arsenic successful arsenic possible."

"Squad" personnel Ocasio-Cortez has dominated headlines since she arrived connected nan governmental segment successful 2018, unseating a longtime Democratic incumbent. The New Yorker said she shared pinch Mamdani that "the measurement sometimes group are painted successful nan media doesn't ever align pinch who we really are arsenic individuals." 

"I deliberation that erstwhile group get to cognize him arsenic a person, erstwhile group get to cognize america arsenic existent people, what they find benignant of surprises them," Ocasio-Cortez explained. 

And crossed Capitol Hill connected Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Bernie Sanders, nan longtime progressive champion, posed for friends photos pinch Mamdani extracurricular an agency building connected nan Hill. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders endorsed Mamdani up of his Democratic superior triumph past month. 

"Had a awesome gathering pinch @ZohranKMamdan and americium profoundly impressed by nan grassroots run he is running," Sanders said connected X. "The Oligarchs are prepared to undermine populist & walk tens of millions to bargain nan predetermination for his opponents. We will not let that to happen. Stand pinch Zohran."

Mamdani, successful turn, said it was an "absolute grant to meet pinch 1 of my heroes and nan champion for moving group crossed our country." He called Sanders "Brooklyn done and through," noting that nan Vermont legislator was calved and raised there.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., rushes past reporters into nan National Democratic Club – only to study that nan meal gathering had moved locations. 

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said he would not be Ocasio-Cortez's meal connected Wednesday. Suozzi, a moderate, has emerged arsenic a vocal force of Mamdani's run among New York Democrats. 

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., endorsed Mamdani past week aft backing erstwhile Gov. Andrew Cuomo successful nan primary. Cuomo announced connected Monday his determination to enactment successful nan mayoral title arsenic an independent. 

Several Democratic leaders were spotted leaving meal connected Wednesday morning, which took spot successful Washington's Navy Yard vicinity aft a last-minute location change.

While leaving nan breakfast, longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, who has endorsed Mamdani, was asked by Fox News if Schumer and Jeffries would yet endorse nan mayoral nominee. He replied that he "would presume truthful successful time."

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., speaks to reporters aft a meal gathering pinch NYC mayoral campaigner Zohran Mamdani. 

But Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., attended nan meal gathering and told reporters arsenic she departed that Mamdani had successfully utilized societal media connected nan run trail. Dingell besides blamed nan media for what she said was rhetoric that Democrats are moving towards socialism.

A apical progressive House member, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, told reporters arsenic she near nan gathering that Mamdani was "inspiring."

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, different starring progressive lawmaker who is besides considered a imaginable 2028 Democratic statesmanlike contender, told reporters connected his measurement retired that Mamdani was "very impressive."

Rep. Nydia Velázquez, a Democrat from New York who has endorsed Mamdani, told reporters arsenic she near nan gathering that "it is conscionable beautiful to person personification who is truthful authentic, you know, money cannot bargain that. And, we had a awesome conversation."

It appeared Mamdani didn't delve into specifics regarding nan far-left schedule he's hoping to enact if he's elected New York City mayor, and alternatively spotlighted his effective run way messaging, which focused connected nan important rumor of affordability.

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Democratic Rep. Luz Rivas of California told reporters upon leaving nan gathering that "it was conscionable much really he was getting that connection out," erstwhile asked what Mamdani discussed.

Fox News' Kelly Phares, Tyler Olson, Oliva Patel, Dan Scully, Aishah Hasnie and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.