NEW YORK — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed fellow Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as her first choice for New York City mayor, putting her high-profile mark on a primary where he has surged among progressives.

“Assembly member Mamdani has demonstrated a real ability on the ground to put together a coalition of working-class New Yorkers that is strongest to lead the pack,” Ocasio-Cortez told the Times of the candidate whose district and platform overlaps with hers. “In the final stretch of the race, we need to get very real about that.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement is among the most highly sought for liberal Democrats nationwide. The Bronx and Queens House member, whose national reach has widely expanded since her hometown’s last race for mayor, will help Mamdani present himself even more clearly as the favorite among the non-Cuomo contenders.