NEW YORK – A surprising division has emerged within New York City’s Satmar Hasidic community ahead of the upcoming mayoral election, highlighting the opaque nature of political endorsements in tightly knit religious groups. At the center of the split are Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani, a far-left, anti-Israel state assemblymember, and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, a centrist with strong ties to the Jewish community.
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On Sunday, Mamdani posted photos of himself with Rabbi Moishe Indig, thanking him for his endorsement. Indig is widely regarded as a key influencer within the Satmar Ahronim community. At the same time, the official leaders of the Satmar Ahronim faction released a statement endorsing Cuomo, reaffirming their backing of the former governor after he lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani earlier this year. Both candidates are claiming the faction’s support, leaving outsiders—and even members of the community—unsure about where the true allegiance lies.
I was honored to receive the endorsement of Rabbi Moshe Indig and Ahronim leaders in Williamsburg today, where we were joined by my friend @LincolnRestler.
Together, we will fight the scourge of antisemitism and build a city that works for every New Yorker. pic.twitter.com/hPyAh5k3MH
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 2, 2025
Analysts suggest that the split may reflect internal debates over priorities rather than clear ideological alignment. While Mamdani’s progressive policies and criticism of Israel alarm some in the Orthodox community, his assurances that yeshiva education and other core Satmar interests would be protected may make him a viable option for certain leaders. Meanwhile, Cuomo’s pro-Israel stance and centrist record appeal to more traditional and security-conscious voices within the faction.
Observers note that the Satmar community, particularly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, tends to vote as a bloc, making the Ahronim faction’s endorsement highly influential. Yet the apparent contradiction in claims of support suggests a deliberate strategy: by signaling backing for both candidates, some leaders may be hedging their bets, maintaining leverage regardless of the election outcome.
🚨 Big News! 🚨 The Satmar Aronite Community leaders in Brooklyn proudly endorse Andrew Cuomo @andrewcuomo for Mayor of NYC! As our Grand Rebbe Aron has said, "Not only should you #Vote with your whole family, but also become an activist to ensure others vote!" 🗳️ Find your poll… pic.twitter.com/cd0rvf1raH
— Satmar Headquarters (@HQSatmar) November 2, 2025
Adding to the uncertainty, the Zalonim are said to have chosen to remain neutral in the race, further complicating the picture. Past interactions with city officials—including meetings with Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams—demonstrate the community’s ability to wield political influence while avoiding total alignment with any one candidate.
Mamdani is widely favored to win on Tuesday, but the fractured endorsements reveal that Satmar leaders are carefully weighing both ideological and practical considerations. For the community, the priority appears less about national or international politics and more about safeguarding local institutions, religious education, and neighborhood autonomy.
In the end, the split raises more questions than answers. Is it genuine disagreement within the Ahronim leadership, or a calculated move to maintain influence regardless of who wins? Observers say it may be too early to tell, but the episode underscores the complex, sometimes opaque nature of Hasidic political engagement in New York City.
I get that Indig/his Satmar organization needs to back this רשע, this רודף, this piece of garbage who, in this week’s Parsha, even אברהם אבינו would have conceeded needs to be eradicated together with his Sedom. I get it! I really do! But the אחריות to all New Yorkers who are mortified at the idea of a mad-mani win. How he hugs a guy who celebrated the death of Yidin and continues to speak favorably about the Hamas terrorists, that, I can’t fathom.
Hashem help us .
Boycot all Satmar meats and products
Ham asss wins. Good bye nyc. Sodom and gemorrah. I’m moving to Israel
The Aharonis have Kiryas Yoel as a backup plan. This is sticking it to the Willi B’ers.
All Satmar Aronim &Zalonim that I know will vote Coumo
Until the Rebbe himself says something publicly, it’s all just “askonim” jockeying for power and nothing to do with any official Satmar position.
There are actually two topics that both Satamar factions will always agree on:
1. Their sinas chinom hatred of Medinat Yisrael.
2. To extend political support and endorsement$ to the candidates which promise them the most government handout$ and entitlement$.
Some times you gotta use your own Sheichel. Politicians need to do things for certain reasons. Even if you don’t like it, or they themselves don’t like it.
Mamzeri hates ALL JEWS. End of story. I guess that leaves the anti-Israel cult of St.Marie out.
Hey, if a bunch of renegade skver “chasidim” can purchase every single piece of real estate outside of and close to New Square (over $100 million worth) just to keep any other Jew from buying it to live there themselves, because they want to control the influences near them, and rent all the properties out to trash Mexicans and don’t care about any other frum families in the area, then this supporting of an evil antisemite doesn’t shock me either. Bunch of vilde chayis.
so Satmar did endorse Mamdani as albroker said they would, I think even I am shocked but then again can anyone be shocked with Satmar. I believe broker is owed an apology.
I will no longer contribute to any Satmar cause. As far as I am concerned they are treif
about this whole election thing what we seem to be missing is an exit plan we came to nyc after ww2 because the boats unfortunately dropped us here and not somewhere else like florida (for me its just the weather btw even before discussing politics…) but that does not mean we need to stay here and if we keep hearing at every election that the future of klal yisrael depends on the outcome of this election maybe we need to consider just getting out and relocating we might be in the wrong neighborhood. we were in manhattn and crown heights and left (most of us) so although it might be a painful decision because we already established ourselves, our businesses and mosdos infastructure etc. we might just need to be getting th H*** out of here before its to late. but we dont have an exit plan.
It might be a game satmar is playing…
i told u so. satmar never disappoints
Indig is no influential figure. He is a political buff and loves sensation.He is all about himself. He is not the typical responsible Askan. At times he does speak on behalf of the Ahronim Satmar. He usually makes news two,three days before the elections when the polls shows a candidate winning and claiming afterwards that he knew that person will will win.
Umm, there ain’t no confusion. It is what it is.
El mundo esta lleno de jala bolas
Satmars are Very smart and cunning. Obviously Mamzerdani is going to win, and Win Big. How does it hurt them to be on the winning team?
They’ll be remembered as those who hedged their bets. You may be approaching them when soon when you need to liaison with the new mayor.
please do not question the helega rebbe reb Aron to whom Indig is a chosid and is mevater, we cannot allow us to question dos toyra