Schumer says he’ll keep talking to Mamdani, delaying NYC mayoral endorsement

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was pressed on CNN about why he has not endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, saying he will continue to talk with the candidate. In an interview on State of the Union, Schumer told host Dana Bash that he would "continue to talk" with Mamdani and did not indicate when or if an endorsement would come.

Bash pressed Schumer on two questions she said remained unanswered: whether he would ever endorse Mamdani and what he would need from Mamdani to secure an endorsement. Schumer replied, reiterating that he plans to keep the dialogue open: "I've got to continue talking to him. And that’s what I’m going to do."

The interview underscored a persistent gap within the Democratic Party over the NYC race, even as Schumer acknowledged a positive relationship with Mamdani. The CNN exchange came as Mamdani has drawn attention from across the party, including from fellow New York lawmakers and national figures weighing the political risks of backing a socialist candidate in a municipal race.

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Hochul, a fellow Democrat and New York governor, endorsed Mamdani last week in a social-media post, signaling official party support that contrasts with the lingering hesitation among some Senate andhouse members. Reports indicate that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is also in talks with Mamdani about backing the candidate, reflecting a split within the party’s New York delegation over how to approach the race.

The broader intra-party debate has drawn fire from at least one prominent fellow senator. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., criticized several New York colleagues for staying on the sidelines, calling the situation a form of "spineless politics" and urging them to back Mamdani now. He characterized the party as having become overly cautious, warning that the stance risks undermining a clear message ahead of elections.

Fox News did not receive an immediate comment from Mamdani’s campaign. The coverage underscores the tension within the Democratic coalition as it negotiates the optics and implications of endorsing a socialist candidate in a major city race. The NY mayoral race has become a focal point in the party’s ongoing test of how far its members will align with newer and more progressive voices within the broader Democratic spectrum.

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