Hakeem Jeffries Endorses Zohran Mamdani in Key NYC Mayoral Race

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has formally endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, the announcement coming as early voting begins in the closely watched race. Jeffries’ backing provides a significant boost to Mamdani’s campaign and signals growing Democratic unity ahead of the general election.

Jeffries, one of the most influential Democrats nationally, had remained non-committal for months, fueling speculation and political debate. In a formal statement, he acknowledged past disagreements with Mamdani but highlighted the candidate’s focus on addressing the city’s affordability crisis.

Mamdani, a state assemblyman, secured a major upset in the June Democratic primary by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has since launched an independent mayoral bid. The general election will be a three-way contest among Mamdani, Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, making the race highly competitive and unpredictable.

Mamdani’s campaign platform emphasizes progressive policies, including a temporary rent freeze for stabilized apartments, free city bus services, and increased taxes on the wealthiest residents. His positions on certain Middle East issues had previously drawn criticism from segments of New York’s Jewish community, prompting him to clarify his stance on divisive slogans while defending free speech.

Governor Kathy Hochul had already endorsed Mamdani in September, and Jeffries’ support further consolidates Democratic backing for the candidate. Analysts say the endorsement could provide critical momentum as voters head to the polls to determine the city’s leadership.

With the race entering its final stage, Mamdani now benefits from the combined support of key Democratic leaders, positioning him as the party’s strongest contender in a pivotal election that could shape New York City’s political and policy landscape for years to come.