House Dems leader Jeffries endorses Mamdani, after criticism of anti-Israel rhetoric

New York representative backs far-left Israel critic for mayor, a day before early voting, despite previously expressing concerns about antisemitism

NEW YORK — New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader in the US House, on Friday endorsed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, months after criticizing Mamdani’s anti-Israel rhetoric.

“Assemblyman Mamdani has promised to focus on keeping every New Yorker safe, including the Jewish community that has confronted a startling rise in antisemitic incidents,” Jeffries said in a statement to The New York Times.

Jeffries had held off on endorsing Mamdani and his backing came at the last minute. Early voting starts on Saturday and the general election is on November 4.

Despite the late endorsement, the move is likely to boost Mamdani and hurt his leading rival, the pro-Israel, centrist former governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani is far ahead of Cuomo and the Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, in polls.

Jeffries had previously urged Mamdani to “reassure Jewish New Yorkers that he plans to prioritize their safety” and criticized Mamdani’s defense of the phrase, “Globalize the Intifada.”

“With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism,” Jeffries said of Mamdani in July.

“Globalizing the Intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrase and he’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward,” Jeffries said. Mamdani has since said he would “discourage” use of the slogan.

Jewish leaders have issued a series of warnings about Mamdani this week, saying that his vilification of Israel could spur hatred against Jews.

Jews in New York City are targeted in hate crimes far more than any other group.

Most of New York’s Democratic establishment has lined up behind Mamdani, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James.

The state’s Democratic Party chairman, Jay Jacobs, said last month that he would not endorse Mamdani due to Mamdani’s far-left politics and positions on Israel, in a rare break from Hochul.

New York’s senators, Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, and the pro-Israel New York Reps. Dan Goldman and Ritchie Torres, all Democrats, have not made endorsements.

Cuomo picked up a significant late endorsement from his former rival, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, this week.

Cuomo on Friday met with Orthodox community leaders in Brooklyn.