NEW YORK − House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries will endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor according a source with knowledge of the situation.
The late endorsement by the powerful Brooklyn congressman in his own backyard marks a shift among mainstream Democrats towards corralling around Mamdani, a Queens state lawmaker and democratic socialist who won his party’s primary against a host of more experienced candidates, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani has already been leading in polls by double digits.
Jeffries had signaled he would endorse a mayoral candidate before early voting beginning on Oct. 25. On Oct. 23, Jeffries praised Mamdani for wanting to keep New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, seen by establishment leaders as a steady hand in City Hall.
Jeffries’ endorsement, less than two weeks before the Nov. 4 general election, is a blow to Cuomo, a moderate Democrat dragged down by ethical scandals now running as an independent. Already, Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani in mid-September, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also a Democrat from Brooklyn, still has not done so.
Eric Adams, the scandal-plagued outgoing mayor, had already dropped his long-shot reelection bid. On Oct. 23, Adams endorsed Cuomo as a bulwark against Mamdani. Cuomo and Adams have resorted to attacks against Mamdani’s Muslim faith in recent days. Mamdani would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
Polls show Mamdani leading the crowded field, which also features Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. High-ranking New York Democrats — with a few exceptions such as state Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul — had until recently skirted supporting Mamdani. The state’s two senators, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, have not endorsed in the race. Part of their reluctance has stemmed in part from Mamdani’s sharp criticism of Israel and its siege of Gaza, which Mamdani has called a genocide.
Major players in New York City’s powerful real estate and finance industries had come out against Mamdani and donated millions of dollars to political action committees opposing his candidacy.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hakeem Jeffries to endorse Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor
