Zohran Mamdani might be the first mayor of New York ever elected by folks who oppose his agenda.
The latest example: The United Bodegas of America endorsed the socialist wannabe Wednesday — even though it represents businessmen and workers who fear competition from the city-run groceries Mamdani’s promised.
And even though his defund-the-police plans may take a toll on their stores, and his $30-an-hour minimum wage devastate their bottom line.
UBA president Radhames Rodriguez even admits he and his members are wary of the socialist’s agenda.
Indeed, the group’s founder, Fernando Mateo, actually resigned over the endorsement, citing “hundreds of bodega owners” who’ve also expressed their anger over it.
Mamdani, fumes Mateo, “is not looking out for the best interests of bodega workers or owners.”
Presumably, Rodriguez and his allies simply see Mamdani as inevitable — and figure it’s better to back a winner, in hopes he’ll then soften an agenda they dread.
They’re not alone: Plenty of Wall Streeters have taken to the sidelines rather than antagonize the guy who seems likely to take over City Hall.
Democratic politicians, too, are jumping on the bandwagon despite their opposition to his policies.
“We’ve had our disagreements,” admitted Gov. Kathy Hochul in her Mamdani endorsement op-ed column in The New York Times.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries highlighted “areas of principled disagreement” eve as he came on board at the last minute.
Assemblyman Micah Lasher similarly endorsed him “in spite of deeply felt disagreements.”
Mamdani’s only sincere support comes from the far left — groups like his own Democratic Socialists of America, public-sector unions like 1199 SEIU and the CUNY faculty guild, as well as fellow radicals like Sen. Bernie Sanders and AOC.
The United Federation of Teachers also endorsed him, as he means to roll back mayoral control of the schools, effectively putting UFT in charge.
But joining the Mamdani parade out of fear is beyond foolish: For starters, if these groups’ members vote against him, he might not win.
And the overall damage he’ll do if he does prevail — on crime, schools, taxes and more — will outweigh any special-interest favors.
Some Democrats — Rep. Tom Suozzi, former Gov. David Paterson, etc. — realize this: They see the threat as so dire, they’ve backed Andrew Cuomo even though Mamdani is the Democratic nominee.
Even some Republicans — City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, ex-Councilman Joe Borelli, etc. — have switched away from GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa to back Cuomo as the best hope to stop the socialist antisemite.
People of good faith are rallying against Mamdani, and the majority who disagree with his policies may yet prevail.
Cross your fingers that enough “supporters” who actually fear him will use the secrecy of the voting booth to do the right thing.