NYC Bodega Chief Quits Over Mamdani Endorsement

**Summary:**In a surprising turn of events, Fernando Mateo, co-founder of United Bodegas of America, resigned in protest after the group's president endorsed democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor. Mateo, a former Republican mayoral candidate, argued that the endorsement broke the group's neutrality and betrayed its bodega owner members. The endorsement sparked strong reactions, with UBA leaders warning that Mamdani's proposals could threaten family-run bodegas. Rodriguez, however, praised Mamdani as a pro-business reformer. As the mayoral race intensifies, the endorsement appears to be a bid to secure Latino support for Mamdani, who is leading among Hispanic voters. The political drama raises questions about UBA's credibility and its future influence, as many bodega owners supported a tough-on-crime approach in the last presidential race. The Daily News Now! - Every city. Every story. AI Powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.