For twenty-five years, AQE has been driven by one goal – to make sure every child regardless of income, race, or the zip code they live in, has the opportunity to be nurtured, learn, and succeed in school and beyond. In a moment when the future of our communities is being tested on so many fronts, we believe it’s important to stand with candidates who share our values and a vision for the future we’re fighting for. That’s why we’re proud at AQE to endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City.

Zohran’s vision for an affordable New York City represents the future we want to see. As an Assemblymember, he has been a true champion for universal child care, for educators who are respected and well compensated, and for the kind of public investment that allows for every community to thrive – today and for generations to come. If his record in state office provides any indication of what lies ahead, it’s clear that his leadership embodies what it means to govern with vision and care.

Click through to hear our full endorsement

We know there’s still more work to do to build the strong, equitable education system that New Yorkers need, but what gives us confidence is knowing that this endorsement can help shape that conversation and strengthen the platform as it pertains to equity and opportunity – a matter you can dive further into in this Politico article that came out earlier today.

The choices made in this election will shape not only the coming years in New York City but the direction of our entire state for years to come. We want that future to be grounded in equity, opportunity, and compassion, and we are ready to fight for it together. We hope you are too!

In solidarity,

Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari
Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education