Jeffries Addresses NYC Mayoral Candidate Endorsement
WASHINGTON — During a live broadcast on Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries experienced a brief moment of hesitation when he acknowledged he hadn’t yet endorsed the leading candidate in the New York mayoral election.
This week, Jeffries hinted that he would have “more to say” regarding the Socialist Party candidate before the self-imposed October 25 deadline, which marks the beginning of early voting in New York City.
When asked about supporting a candidate with a polarizing reputation, Jeffries (D-N.Y.) downplayed the delay in making an announcement.
“We haven’t done it yet,” he stated during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” He added, “As I’ve mentioned, I expect to speak with him sometime this week prior to early voting starting next weekend in New York City. More will come regarding the mayoral race and the Democratic contenders before that begins.”
Early voting for the mayoral election is set to start on October 25 and run through November 2, with Election Day occurring shortly after on November 4.
Jeffries, while in Los Angeles, previously noted that early voting was a pivotal time to discuss his stance on Mamdani. Brooklyn Democrats have met with Mr. Mamdani multiple times to gauge their position regarding the race.
Other Democratic figures, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), are also showing caution in backing Mamdani due to his extreme leftist policies. Although Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has endorsed him, Mamdani has yet to reciprocate by endorsing her re-election bid for 2026.
Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Jeffries was seen in Los Angeles this past weekend. Earlier in June, he expressed some concerns about Mamdani, noting the need for clarification on his rhetoric around the term “globalizing the intifada.”
This past summer, various remarks made by Mamdani resurfaced, showcasing him criticizing Jeffries, stating the prominent African American congressman was akin to the notorious segregationist George Wallace.
In a November 2022 post, Mamdani referenced a rally where Jeffries paraphrased Wallace after the deaths of over 2,200 Palestinians in July 2014. Additionally, a video from December 2023 showed him challenging Jeffries with the question, “How many more Palestinians do we have to kill before we ask for a ceasefire?”
In a separate interview on ABC News, Jeffries also expressed support for the Democrat’s decision to dismiss Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s (R-S.D.) suggested deal regarding Obamacare subsidies, emphasizing their refusal to back a Republican spending bill. “Republicans have continually rejected extending these tax credits because they prioritize freeing George Santos over ensuring healthcare for everyday Americans,” he remarked.
