On Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York expressed that he does not view Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate, as the “future” of the party.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper asked, “You already voted for mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani. Do you think Mamdani is the future of the Democratic Party?”
Jeffries replied, “No, we believe the future of the Democratic Party will decline in comparison to the House Democratic Caucus and the members of Congress who are effectively working across the country.”
Tapper then challenged Jeffries, inquiring whether he was worried that Republicans might use Mamdani to undermine their chances of regaining the House in 2026.
Jeffries responded, “No, the true factor affecting either side’s ability to win or retain House majority in 2026 will be the Republicans failing to fulfill their promises and negatively impacting the lives of everyday Americans.”
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, surprised many in June when he won the Democratic primary for New York mayor against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as an independent against him.
Last month, Jeffries endorsed Mamdani, supporting a candidate whose progressive views have stirred controversy within the party. Leaders from Brooklyn have largely been absent from Mamdani’s campaign in recent months.
Earlier, Jeffries stated, “Zoran Mamdani has committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, focusing intently on the affordability crisis, including those who may not support him.”
Jeffries expressed his support for Mamdani and the broader Democratic ticket in the citywide general election.
Cuomo recently criticized Mamdani, describing him as “the most divisive candidate New York has ever had.” He claimed Mamdani has alienated various communities, including Jewish, Italian, and LGBTQ groups.
The Hill has reached out to Mamdani’s team for a response.
