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.
