Hakeem Jeffries Endorses Zohran Mamdani Despite Radical Record and Party Reservations

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, becoming the highest-ranking national Democrat to back the self-described socialist. Jeffries announced the endorsement Friday as early voting begins, arguing that Democrats must unify against what he called the “existential” threat of Donald Trump, even though he admits to “areas of principled disagreement” with Mamdani.

Jeffries had refused for months to weigh in. His endorsement arrives precisely as Mamdani faces organized resistance from Democrats, Republicans, and independents consolidating behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, while GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa remains in the race and has vowed not to exit.

A Candidate Backed by the Party’s Left, Questioned by the Party’s Center

Before Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the far-left candidate was already endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Yet the hesitation from Jeffries and from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer signaled deep discomfort within the national party. Van Hollen blasted those hesitating as engaging in “spineless politics.”

Mamdani’s Record: Extremism on Israel, Economics, and Cultural Policy

Mamdani has refused to condemn the “globalize the intifada” slogan, has publicly defended Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, and has called for city-run grocery stores and rent freezes. He has also proposed a $65 million taxpayer fund for gender-affirming medical procedures for both minors and adults.

Three-Way Race Complicated by Vote-Splitting Strategy

Mamdani will face:

• Curtis Sliwa (R)

• Andrew Cuomo (Independent)

• Zohran Mamdani (D)

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams has endorsed Cuomo. Trump has said Mamdani “should be able to win” based on current polling, but added that he prefers Cuomo to Mamdani, saying, “I would rather have a Democrat than a communist.”

A RealClearPolitics average of October polls shows Mamdani leading Cuomo 47% to 29.8%, with Sliwa at 16%. Critics of Cuomo’s run argue that head-to-head polling suggests Sliwa would perform better than Cuomo in a two-way race against Mamdani, and that keeping three major candidates in the field may only secure a victory for Mamdani by splitting the opposition vote.

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