**Working Families Party Endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayoral Primary**

In a significant decision made on Friday night, the Working Families Party (WFP) has placed state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani at the forefront of their mayoral primary slate. This decision emerged after extensive closed-door discussions among the party members.

The WFP, known for its progressive stance, ranked City Comptroller Brad Lander second, followed by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in third place. State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos were placed fourth and fifth respectively. The primary goal behind these rankings is to consolidate support and challenge the leading candidate, Andrew Cuomo.

WFP co-directors Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper expressed confidence in Mamdani's ability to win against Cuomo, citing recent polling and fundraising data. “The polls and fundraising numbers tell a clear story about who is best poised to defeat Cuomo - that candidate is Zohran,” they said in their statement.

The WFP had endorsed four candidates earlier in March but had not ranked them until now. The idea was to eventually unify behind the candidate with the best chance of defeating the former governor. This strategic move aimed to influence Democratic voters who can select up to five candidates in a ranked order for the upcoming primary on June 24.

A recent survey by Emerson College showed Mamdani polling just nine points behind Cuomo, bolstering his position as a strong contender. Brad Lander, who has a longstanding relationship with the WFP due to his legislative efforts during his tenure in the Council, received recognition for his progressive vision despite being ranked second.

Attention is now turning to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in New York City politics, who has not yet endorsed any candidate with only four weeks remaining until the primary. Her endorsement could significantly influence the race.

Zohran Mamdani expressed his gratitude upon being named the top choice, stating, “The Working Families Party has fought for a more affordable New York for decades and I am honored to lead their slate as their first choice for mayor.”

Brad Lander’s campaign also responded positively to the ranking, with spokesperson Dora Pekec emphasizing the competitive nature of the race. “This is now a clear three-person race, and Brad is the only candidate with the bold progressive vision, the record and chops to actually get it done,” Pekec stated.

As the primary approaches, the endorsements and rankings by the WFP are set to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the mayoral race.