Dems to rally for Kamala Harris in Harlem

Rep. Adriano Espaillat and friends are looking to get out the vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Espaillat, along with co-hosts, former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and District Leader Corey Ortega, are hosting a campaign kickoff for the Democratic presidential hopeful on Aug. 14.

Though the event will be hosted in Espaillat’s Harlem home turf, it’s expected to bring together Democrats from around the city. Along with Espaillat allies like Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, other city and state elected officials, including Comptroller and recently declared mayoral candidate Brad Lander, are set to attend, according to a flier shared with City & State. 

Lander, whose entrance into the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary last week prompted a passionate defense of the mayor from Espaillat, has been caught in a battle with Adams over who’s the bigger Kamala fan. While the mayor suggested Lander should be focused not on announcing his mayoral challenge but supporting Harris’ campaign, Lander has pointed out that he endorsed Harris before Adams, and he’s been cracking dad jokes on a “Dads for Kamala” organizing call.