Patrick Gaspard, informal but crucial Mamdani adviser, believes the 'entire machinery' of NYC politics was 'exposed in this campaign'

"I've never taken time off from engaging. I'm a New York nationalist, so no matter where I am on the planet, I'm always engaged with New York City and public service and the civic life of New York. Sometimes my friends are really surprised when they'll say, 'Wait, you knew this council member and you're talking to this Assembly member?' Yeah, I come from a community where this matters."

"Even when I was in South Africa, I was still in touch with New York - it's home. I think it's the greatest place on the planet, particularly and most especially because of the pluralistic nature of New York"

Patrick Gaspard and Zohran Mamdani were both born in Africa to immigrant parents, moved to New York City young, and have Columbia University ties. Gaspard has emerged as an informal but key adviser to Mamdani's mayoral campaign, praising Mamdani's seriousness of purpose, moral clarity, and communication skills. Gaspard compared Mamdani's qualities to those of a progressive upstart he once advised and serves as a veteran sounding board. Gaspard downplayed the decisive importance of endorsements from Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. Gaspard identifies as a New York nationalist and maintains continuous engagement with the city's civic life.

Read at City & State NY