Jeffries, Top House Democrat, Endorses Mamdani

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani after months of public ambiguity, becoming the highest‑ranking national Democrat to back the Queens assemblyman. Jeffries praised Mamdani’s focus on affordability and his pledge to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, pointing to Mamdani’s debate promise to retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch as a reassuring step. At the same time, Jeffries acknowledged “areas of principled disagreement,” saying he has raised concerns about Mamdani’s past comments on the Middle East and antisemitism. Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist who has drawn criticism for past statements and for opposing the IHRA definition of antisemitism, has attracted progressive backing from figures including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders as well as endorsements from more mainstream Democrats. The endorsement is intended to unite Democrats ahead of early voting and the Nov. 4 election and to blunt a divided general-election field that includes former Gov. Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and Republican Curtis Sliwa.