New York Democratic Party chairman breaks with Hochul on Mamdani
The chairman of the New York State Democratic Party,jay Jacobs,publicly distanced himself from New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani,breaking with Governor Kathy Hochul,who endorsed Mamdani earlier. Jacobs expressed strong disagreement with Mamdani’s views on Israel, his self-described socialist platform, and his approach to income inequality and affordability in the city. Jacobs rejected the principles of the Democratic Socialists of America, stating they do not represent the Democratic Party’s values, and declared he would not endorse Mamdani. Despite their differences, Jacobs respected Hochul’s endorsement decision and said he would refrain from endorsing any other mayoral candidates. Mamdani, who remains the front-runner in the race facing candidates including Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa, has yet to secure endorsements from key New york Democrats in Congress, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Activists have petitioned these leaders with over 80,000 signatures urging them to back Mamdani.
New York Democratic Party chairman breaks with Hochul on Mamdani endorsement
The chairman of the New York State Democratic Party announced on Thursday that he will not endorse New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani, publicly breaking with Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), who backed Mamdani earlier this week.
Jay Jacobs, who is Jewish, said he “strongly” disagrees with Mamdani’s views on Israel and other policy positions. He also took issue with the self-described socialist’s platform.
“Furthermore, I reject the platform of the so-called ‘Democratic Socialists of America’ and do not believe that it represents the principles, values or policies of the Democratic Party,” Jacobs said in a statement. “I will not be endorsing Mr. Mamdani for Mayor of the City of New York.”
Jacobs also said he disagrees with how Mamdani plans to address income inequality and affordability in New York City, a matter Hochul cited as her reason for endorsing Mamdani.
“Affordability has long been my top priority as governor, and it is the No. 1 concern I share with Mr. Mamdani,” Hochul wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Sunday. “As governor, I’ve taken actions to realize this goal, including lowering middle-class income taxes and making school meals free for all students. But there is more work ahead of us.”
Hochul’s announcement was surprising after she previously hesitated to support Mamdani.
While Jacobs’s stance on Mamdani starkly contrasts Hochul’s, the chairman defended him, calling the “fear mongering” around his campaign “wrong and a gross over-reaction.”
Despite their disagreements over Mamdani, Jacobs said he respected Hochul’s decision and pledged not to endorse any other candidate in the mayoral race.
ACTIVISTS DELIVER 80,000 PETITIONS URGING SCHUMER AND JEFFRIES TO BACK MAMDANI
With less than two months until the general election, Mamdani remains the front-runner. He will face New York City Mayor Eric Adams, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani still hasn’t received support from the top two New York Democrats in Congress: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Liberal activists on Thursday delivered more than 80,000 petition signatures to the offices of Jeffries and Schumer on Capitol Hill, pressuring them to endorse Mamdani. Both leaders have spoken positively of the candidate but have stopped short of issuing an endorsement.
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