Mamdani Allies Host Fundraiser for Senate Hopefuls Talarico and Brown
A significant fundraising event in Manhattan on Monday evening is set to benefit Democratic Senate candidates James Talarico of Texas and Sherrod Brown of Ohio.
Allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are organizing a major fundraiser Monday night in Manhattan for Democratic Senate hopefuls James Talarico and Sherrod Brown. The event, dubbed the "Ohio Texas Victory Fund" special reception, is scheduled to take place in downtown Manhattan starting at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $500 for general admission to $27,000 for "champion" donors, according to the event's donation page.
Actor Robert De Niro is expected to introduce the candidates. Talarico is running for a Senate seat in Texas, while Brown is seeking re-election in Ohio. The outcomes of these races are considered crucial in determining which party will control the U.S. Senate in the upcoming year.
Notable figures are listed as co-hosts for the event. Among them is jeweler Alexis Bittar, who has previously hosted fundraisers for Mamdani and supported his transition initiatives. Bittar has also been associated with controversial statements, including referring to America as a "s--thole" in an interview and lamenting that the American flag had become a "symbol of aggression" in a documentary he helped release.
The host committee also includes several prominent figures from the LGBTQ+ community, such as Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign PAC, and Shameek Bose, a national board member for GLAAD. Bose previously co-hosted a fundraiser for Mamdani's mayoral transition in December 2025.
Other co-hosts include Shaifali Puri, wife of comedian Aasif Mandvi and a member of Mamdani's transition committee; filmmaker Shruti Rya Ganguly; author Adriana Trigiani; and attorney Victor Kovner, who has written in support of Mamdani.
It is a common practice for candidates from various states to seek campaign funding from New York City donors. Historically, Republicans have attempted to link Democratic opponents to Mamdani, characterizing him as a socialist. However, recent interactions between Mamdani and former President Trump, including a publicized meeting, have potentially complicated this political strategy.