Jeffries releases long-awaited endorsement of Zohran Mamdani
House minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City after months of delay and pressure from progressive Democrats. Mamdani, a self-described socialist and front-runner in the race, secured Jeffries’s backing just as early voting began.Jeffries acknowledged some “principled disagreements” with Mamdani but emphasized the need for party unity against the perceived threat from former President Donald Trump. While some centrist Democrats have distanced themselves from Mamdani, criticizing his policy positions and controversial statements, Jeffries chose to support Mamdani and the broader Democratic ticket. This endorsement may intensify Republican attacks on Democrats by highlighting Mamdani’s socialist label, but some observers note that Mamdani likely would have won without it. The timing of Jeffries’s endorsement has drawn mixed reactions, with critics suggesting it shows weakness or reluctance within Democratic leadership.
Hakeem Jeffries endorses Zohran Mamdani after months of pressure
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Friday, a long-awaited backing from the national Democratic leader as early voting in the mayoral election begins on Saturday.
Jeffries released a lukewarm statement of support to the New York Times, coming after months of pressure from his progressive flank to back Mamdani, a self-described socialist whom polls say is solidly the front-runner to succeed Mayor Eric Adams.
He said he and Mamdani have “areas of principled disagreement” but that Mamdani won in a “free and fair election.” The leader said the Democratic Party needs to be united in the face of an “existential” threat from President Donald Trump.
“Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy,” Jeffries told the outlet.
“In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election,” he added.
The minority leader has dodged questions about an endorsement from reporters for months. On Friday, ahead of his announcement, he told reporters to “stay tuned.”
“I have not refused to endorse. I have refused to articulate my position, and I will momentarily, at some point, in advance of early voting,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries was at a crossroads over whether to endorse Mamdani, who has drawn ire for his refusal to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada” and comments about Israel. A handful of Jeffries’s own centrist House Democratic members have distanced themselves from Mamdani, saying that he is out of sync with voters.
“Long Islanders are already facing a cost-of-living crisis and the last thing they can afford is Zohran Mamdani’s reckless agenda,” Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), who describes herself as a “moderate Democrat,” said in September.
“While I share his concern about the issue of affordability, I fundamentally disagree with his proposed solutions. Like the voters I represent, I believe socialism has consistently failed to deliver real, sustainable progress,” Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) said that same month.
Eyes have been on Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to see whether they would throw their support behind Mamdani, especially after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) endorsed the Democratic nominee in an op-ed on Sept. 14.
Schumer, in particular, is under pressure from the left flank of the Democratic Party to endorse Mamdani as speculation rises that he may face a primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Rumors began floating that Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent “Squad” member and popular figure in the party, may primary Schumer after he helped Republicans pass a short-term spending deal in March. She boasts a war chest of $11.8 million in cash on hand, a hefty number for a House seat.
Schumer was not included in Jeffries’s endorsement statement.
Jeffries’s decision to endorse Mamdani will likely open the floodgates for GOP messaging, particularly as Republicans have latched onto the fact that Mamdani, a socialist, is the Democrats’ nominee.
“So-called ‘Leader’ Hakeem Jeffries has officially surrendered to Zohran Mamdani and the socialist mob now running the Democrat Party,” National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement. “Their far-left takeover has torched Democrats’ hopes of retaking the House and turned their agenda into pure electoral poison. Every single Democrat is a willing accomplice to their own party’s collapse.”
It will also send a message to the Democratic Party’s base, of whom many are wondering why it took so long for Jeffries and Schumer to endorse.
Democratic commentator Kaivan Shroff told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that throwing support behind Mamdani at this stage in the race demonstrates “weakness” and gives off the appearance that they were “bullied into this endorsement.”
Shroff added the endorsement won’t necessarily move the needle one way or another, and it could ultimately backfire on centrist candidates seeking reelection in a competitive midterm election next year.
“Mamdani is certainly on track to win this election without the endorsement,” Shroff said. “It sort of gives a weapon to Republicans across the country as we head into the 2026 midterms to label Democrats that are much more moderate, which most are, as democratic socialists or communists, as Trump mislabels Mamdani.”
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One House Democrat, given anonymity to speak candidly, told the Washington Examiner that it’s better late than never.
“I think he should have done it much earlier, but I’m glad he’s doing it. We need to stand with our primary winners,” the lawmaker said.
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