Founder of Prominent NYC Bodega Owners’ Group Explodes in Fury and Resigns After Organization Endorses Zohran Mamdani for Mayor — Calls It “A Betrayal”
A bitter feud has erupted inside one of New York City’s most influential small-business organizations after Fernando Mateo, the outspoken co-founder of the United Bodegas of America, abruptly resigned in protest over the group’s endorsement of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Mateo, a fixture in city politics and a longtime advocate for immigrant-owned small businesses, called the endorsement a “betrayal” of everything the organization stands for, accusing its leadership of crossing ethical and political lines by backing a candidate he says would devastate the city’s bodega community.
The controversy stems from a decision by the group’s president, Radhames Rodriguez, to publicly endorse Mamdani for New York City mayor ahead of next month’s election. Mamdani, a progressive Democrat and current state assemblyman, has centered his campaign on sweeping economic reforms, including a proposal to open several city-owned grocery stores in each borough. That idea, which he says would lower food prices and promote fair access to groceries, has been fiercely opposed by bodega owners who see it as a direct threat to their livelihoods.
Mateo, in his resignation letter made public on Wednesday, blasted the endorsement as both reckless and dishonest. “This was a betrayal,” he said. “We are not in a position to endorse anyone. Our role is to advocate for small business owners, not to choose political sides. What was done here undermines the credibility of our entire organization.” Mateo also argued that the move violated the group’s nonprofit charter, which restricts political endorsements that could be interpreted as partisan.
The resignation marks a stunning fallout for a group that has long served as a voice for thousands of small neighborhood store owners across New York City. For decades, United Bodegas of America has been a symbol of immigrant entrepreneurship — particularly within Latino and Middle Eastern communities — standing up to city regulations, safety concerns, and rising costs. But the Mamdani endorsement has opened deep divisions, exposing tensions between more progressive members of the group and traditionalists who believe the organization should stay politically neutral.
Radhames Rodriguez defended the endorsement, saying Mamdani’s broader platform includes initiatives that would help small businesses, such as streamlining permits, reducing fines, and expanding access to digital tools for shop owners. “We need someone who listens,” Rodriguez said. “Mamdani has promised to help reduce the red tape that is suffocating small business owners. That matters to us.”
Still, many bodega owners remain unconvinced. They argue that Mamdani’s plan for city-run grocery stores would create government-subsidized competitors, forcing thousands of family-owned shops to shut their doors. Mateo’s resignation quickly gained traction among local shopkeepers who echoed his anger and accused United Bodegas’ leadership of selling out their members. “We weren’t even consulted,” one Bronx store owner said. “This was a political move, not a business one.”
Political observers say the fallout could have wider implications for the city’s mayoral race. The United Bodegas of America has been known to influence Latino voters in key boroughs, and Mateo’s departure may fracture that voting bloc. Mamdani’s endorsement from the group was initially seen as a win for his campaign, but the backlash could cost him support among small-business owners already skeptical of his progressive agenda.
The timing of the split couldn’t be worse for the bodega community, which has faced mounting pressure in recent years from inflation, shoplifting, and new city regulations. For many, the internal fight represents more than just political disagreement — it’s a sign of how disconnected leadership has become from the realities of small-business survival in New York. Mateo’s exit now leaves a leadership vacuum, and insiders worry that the group may splinter further as members choose sides.
As the dust settles, the image of unity that once defined United Bodegas of America has been shattered. What began as a small-business advocacy network has now turned into a battleground of ideology and identity. And while Zohran Mamdani continues to campaign across the city, the fallout from this endorsement has exposed just how deeply politics can divide even the tightest communities — especially when livelihoods are on the line.
