A New York City fundraiser for Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is bringing together a host committee featuring several donors, fundraisers, and political allies tied to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Talarico is scheduled to attend the September 28 fundraiser alongside former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, with actor Robert De Niro headlining the event. Tickets range from $500 to $27,000.
The invitation lists a lengthy host committee that includes Alexis Bittar, Shameek Bose, Shaifali Puri, Shruti Rya Ganguly, Charles Alaimo, Adriana Trigiani, and Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson.
Several of those hosts have previously raised money for Mamdani, campaigned alongside him, or served on committees associated with his transition into office.
Bittar, a New York jewelry designer, was one of Mamdani’s prominent arts-world fundraisers. New York Magazine identified Bittar as one of Mamdani’s bundlers and reported that he hosted meet-and-greets that raised nearly $164,000 for Mamdani’s transition.
After Mamdani’s election, Bittar was appointed to his Arts and Culture transition committee.
Bittar also previously hosted a fundraiser for Talarico.
Bose has another direct fundraising connection to Mamdani.
In December 2025, Bose hosted a fundraiser to support Mamdani’s transition to City Hall. Bose later wrote that the event raised more than $500,000.
The event invitation lists both Bose and Bittar among the host committee for the Mamdani fundraiser.
Other members of Talarico’s September 28 host committee also have connections to Mamdani.
Puri and her husband, comedian Aasif Mandvi, canvassed and organized fundraisers and phone banks for Mamdani. Puri was later named to Mamdani’s Committee on Legal Affairs.
Ganguly, described as a Mamdani family friend, publicly defended his economic platform and previously co-hosted a fundraiser where Mamdani appeared.
Alaimo co-hosted multiple fundraisers attended by Mamdani, including one in June where Mamdani was billed as a special guest. Alaimo and Trigiani also co-hosted an August fundraiser for Talarico in New York, while Trigiani previously hosted a breakfast fundraiser for Mamdani.
Talarico’s campaign did not respond when asked for his views on Mamdani and whether he considers the New York City mayor a political ally.
