After long delay, Hakeem Jeffries endorses Mamdani for NYC mayor

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
Today 00:11

Hakeem Jeffries endorses NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani days before the election, as Mamdani leads polls after defeating Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of N.Y., speaks to reporters on the steps of the Capitol at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, after months of withholding support and just over a week before the general election, The New York Times reported on Friday.

“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 in a statement.

“In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election.”

My statement on the New York City Mayor’s race. pic.twitter.com/yz05Dc81gz
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) October 24, 2025

While Jeffries has now backed Mamdani, other top Democrats from New York, namely Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have not endorsed any candidate in the mayoral race, including Mamdani, according to the report.

Mamdani leads after primary win against Cuomo

In late June, Mamdani secured a primary victory with over 43% of the vote, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who earned just over 36%.

Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, remains Mamdani’s main challenger. If elected, Mamdani would become the first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history.

US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Mamdani, labeling him a “communist” and warning that New York would face difficulties under his administration if elected. Despite this, most polls suggest Mamdani maintains a clear lead heading into election day.