Hakeem Jeffries throws weight behind Zohran Mamdani — Why it’s a big deal for Democrats and NYC politics

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday officially endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, ending months of speculation about whether the top Democrat would back the socialist candidate or not.The endorsement came less than two weeks before the November 4 NYC mayoral election.In a statement to the New York Times, Jeffries acknowledged that he and Mamdani have “areas of principled disagreement,” but agreed to the fact that the Democratic Party must unite against what he called the “existential” threat from US President Donald Trump.“Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy,” Jeffries said.The 34-year-old Democratic Socialists of America member secured a surprising primary victory over former governor and rival Andrew Cuomo in June, but many national Democratic leaders initially hesitated to support him due to his far-left, anti-rich stance.The endorsement comes amid criticism from Republicans, who are using Mamdani’s socialist/leftist affiliation to target Democrats ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

“Are there any moderate Democrats left? Every elected Democrat – in New York and nationally – must answer this question: do you stand with Zohran Mamdani or do you stand with the principles upon which our republic was founded?” New York GOP Chair Ed Cox said in a statement on Friday.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, another influential Democrat, has not publicly endorsed the candidate. On the opposite front, individual candidate Andrew Cuomo is backed by former Mayor Eric Adams.

Republicans have also fielded a candidate, Curtis Sliwa, a red beret-wearing founder of the Guardian Angels, who is running as the Republican nominee in the NYC mayoral race.

Why is Jeffries' backing of Mamdani a big deal?

Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement of Zohran Mamdani is seen as a major political moment, not just for New York City but nationally. Jeffries is the first African American to lead a party caucus in either chamber of Congress. He had been cautious about backing Mamdani due to his progressive platform and affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America.His support signals a shift within the Democratic establishment toward embracing candidates from the party’s progressive wing. Analysts note that Jeffries’ endorsement may influence other moderate and centrist Democrats to rally behind Mamdani, helping to bridge divides between the party’s mainstream and its left-leaning members.The backing also carries national implications ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans have sought to tie Democrats to Mamdani’s socialist stances to portray the party as radical. Jeffries’ endorsement counters this narrative by presenting a unifying Democratic figure supporting the nominee despite ideological differences. The move strengthens Mamdani’s credibility with voters and party leaders, signalling that even cautious, mainstream Democrats see him as a viable candidate capable of leading the city while addressing key issues like affordability and inclusivity.