House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially thrown his support behind Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. This endorsement has concluded an ongoing wait that attracted considerable attention in political circles.
In a statement to The New York Times, Jeffries remarked, “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.” His supportive stance follows a recent interview where he hinted at an impending endorsement while discussing Mamdani’s proactive approach, particularly his promise to retain New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Jeffries, who serves a Brooklyn district, had been one of several senior Democrats who hesitated to endorse Mamdani after the latter’s surprising victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary election held in June. While New York Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to publicly show his support.
Jeffries’ endorsement is expected to bolster Mamdani’s campaign as he aims to address critical issues such as housing affordability in New York City. As the election approaches, the landscape is heating up, and the dynamics among major political figures could play a significant role in the race ahead. This development highlights a growing momentum for Mamdani’s candidacy as he seeks to unify the party and appeal to a broad base of voters.