Representative Hakeem Jeffries has officially thrown his support behind Zohran Mamdani in the race for New York City mayor, marking the end of a protracted period of speculation regarding his endorsement of the Democratic candidate.
In a statement emphasizing the importance of Democratic unity against President Trump, Jeffries declared his intention to vote for Mamdani in the upcoming general election on November 4. Mamdani is competing against Republican Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
“Zohran Mamdani has consistently prioritized tackling the affordability crisis and has pledged to serve as a mayor for all New Yorkers, even those who may not support him,” Jeffries stated, as reported by the New York Times.
Jeffries added, “In this spirit, I endorse him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket for the general election,” while also noting that he has “areas of principled disagreement” with Mamdani.
While Jeffries, who serves a congressional district in central Brooklyn, did not attend in person to make the announcement, his endorsement was issued in a statement.
The declaration was released after midday on Friday, as activity at the Capitol wound down, fulfilling Jeffries’ promise to clarify his stance before early voting begins on Saturday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks to the press at the Capitol on October 17. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
The statement released after lunchtime as the Capitol emptied out on Friday afternoon fulfills Jeffries’ longstanding vow to make his feelings known before early voting starts Saturday.
Mamdani sparred this week with Cuomo and Sliwa in the final debate. Mayor Adams, who pulled the plug on his own sputtering reelection campaign, backed Cuomo, citing the need to block Mamdani from winning Gracie Mansion.
Mamdani was always favored to win Jeffries’ nod after he trounced Cuomo in the June primary, even though the two men represent very different wings of the Democratic Party.
A fresh-faced self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, Mamdani has electrified young people with a message of progressive change. He is a harsh critic of Israel and the war in Gaza.
Jeffries on the other hand has molded himself as the ultimate party insider and hopes to become Speaker of the House if Democrats can retake the House of Representatives in next year’s midterm election.
That post requires him to consider how stances like Mamdani’s will play in moderate and swing suburban and heartland districts far from the five boroughs.
The belated endorsement caps a mostly successful effort by Mamdani to get New York’s Democratic power brokers to line up behind his Gracie Mansion bid.
Most establishment Democratic elected officials who supported Cuomo in the primary quickly shifted to support Mamdani after his convincing primary win and stuck with him even after Cuomo announced plans to run as an independent.
Barry Williams/ New York Daily News
Zohran Mamdani gives Gov. Kathy Hochul a hug in during a ceremony in Astoria announcing funding for expansion for the Variety Boys and Girls Club on Oct. 14. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)
Gov. Hochul, a moderate who is seeking to shore up her left flank ahead of a reelection bid next year, recently endorsed Mamdani.
Sen. Chuck Schumer has taken a similar stance to Jeffries, emphasizing common ground with Mamdani without issuing a formal endorsement.
A spokesman for Schumer did not respond to questions about his plans for a possible endorsement.
