Jeffries in talks to endorse Mamdani in NYC mayoral race

New York — House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is in discussions to endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist who won the party’s June mayoral primary, in the crowded New York City mayoral race, according to people familiar with the conversations.

Jeffries has been in discussions with Mamdani and Mamdani’s adviser Patrick Gaspard, the former ambassador to South Africa and a longtime Obama-era political operative who has emerged as a key strategist for Mamdani, particularly for building backing in neighborhoods and among Black business leaders. Rev. Al Sharpton told The New York Post that Jeffries has been weighing an endorsement. Jeffries himself teased a potential endorsement on Sharpton’s MSNBC PoliticsNation program, saying, "What I will say is, as you pointed out, you know, Gov. Hochul endorsed last Sunday. Speaker Carl Heastie endorsed [Mamdani] on Wednesday," Jeffries said. "He got a big endorsement today, you know, from a close friend of mine, the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman [Yvette] Clarke. I’ll have more to say about the Mayor’s race sometime soon," added Jeffries.

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Jeffries’ comments come as the broader mayoral contest tests party loyalties. Gov. Hochul and Assembly Speaker Heastie have endorsed Mamdani, signaling early establishment support for the socialist candidate, while Sen. Chuck Schumer has yet to weigh in. The field also includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both now running as independents.

The rise of Mamdani has provoked a notable rift within the Democratic coalition, with progressives and moderates clashing over strategy and policy. New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, who also heads Nassau County Democrats, bucked the party line by issuing a statement refusing to endorse Mamdani. "Mr. Mamdani and I are in agreement that America’s greatest problem is the continued growth in income disparity in our nation. On how to address it – we fundamentally disagree," Jacobs said. "I strongly disagree with his views on the State of Israel, along with certain key policy positions." Jacobs continued, "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. For those reasons I will not be endorsing Mr. Mamdani for Mayor of the City of New York."

Mamdani won the primary in June by a significant margin, a result that has energized his campaign while sharpening divisions within the party as the general election approach grows more contentious. A source familiar with the deliberations said Jeffries is “leaning towards Mamdani” but that discussions are ongoing, illustrating how carefully party leadership is weighing its options amid a divided field and a high-stakes citywide race.

The emergence of Mamdani’s candidacy—and Jeffries’ potential endorsement—are occurring against a backdrop of a polarized party where donors, activists and elected officials are recalibrating loyalties ahead of the vote. Patrick Gaspard’s role as Mamdani’s adviser has been widely noted for its emphasis on mobilizing Black communities and courting business leaders, signaling the kind of coalition-building effort that could influence the race’s outcome.

As the campaign progresses, Schumer’s decision remains uncertain, and the mayoral fight remains unusually open for a major city election. Jeffries’ possible endorsement could carry weight in particular with Brooklyn and other urban Democratic constituencies, where Mamdani has sought to expand his base.

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