As New York City’s mayoral race intensifies ahead of the upcoming election, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially endorsed Democratic assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a significant boost for the candidate just one day before early voting begins. Jeffries’ endorsement underscores the growing momentum behind Mamdani, who has emerged as a frontrunner in the crowded race and has focused his campaign on tackling the city’s affordability crisis and uniting New Yorkers across political lines.
In a statement released on Friday, Jeffries expressed his respect for the voters’ will, particularly highlighting the enthusiasm of young people who have been inspired to engage with the electoral process. He praised Mamdani’s unwavering commitment to addressing the affordability challenges facing the city and emphasized the candidate’s promise to serve all New Yorkers, including those who may not support him directly. “In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election,” Jeffries said, signaling his full backing not just for Mamdani but for the broader slate of Democratic candidates.
This endorsement marks the culmination of a relationship nurtured over the summer, when Mamdani and Jeffries met to discuss the campaign and the candidate’s vision for New York City. For Mamdani, Jeffries’ support is a validation of his message and a key step toward fulfilling his campaign promise of building a city government that prioritizes affordability and fights against what he calls “Trump’s authoritarianism.” In response to the endorsement, Mamdani emphasized his campaign’s focus on uniting diverse communities and moving away from “the politics of big money and small ideas.” He framed the growing support for his movement as a sign that New Yorkers are ready for a new chapter in city politics.
Jeffries’ endorsement also came after some speculation about his position, as he had previously declined to publicly support any candidate, including Mamdani, despite questions from reporters. On Friday morning, Jeffries clarified that he had not refused to endorse anyone but had simply postponed announcing his decision until just before early voting began. Alongside Mamdani, Jeffries also endorsed Democrats Mark Levine and Jumaane Williams for the positions of city comptroller and public advocate, respectively, aligning himself firmly with the progressive wing of the city’s Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s main opponent in the race, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, secured a crucial endorsement of his own from outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Adams, who dropped out of the mayoral race last month and has been critical of Mamdani’s policies, publicly threw his support behind Cuomo on Thursday. Speaking about their shared New York roots, Adams likened their relationship to that of brothers who may fight but ultimately come together to protect their family. This metaphor underscored the political alliance between Adams and Cuomo, highlighting a united front against Mamdani’s candidacy.
Adams’ endorsement came shortly after the final mayoral debate ahead of Election Day, where both Cuomo and Mamdani faced off in a highly anticipated showdown. Following the debate, Cuomo was seen attending the New York Knicks’ home opener alongside Mayor Adams, a public display of their alliance. The Knicks organization, however, sought to distance itself from any political affiliations. The team issued a cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani’s campaign after it used a modified version of the Knicks’ logo in an advertisement, replacing the word “Knicks” with “Zohran.” A spokesperson for the Knicks clarified that the team does not endorse Mamdani and plans to take legal action to protect its copyrighted logo, signaling the organization’s intent to remain neutral in the mayoral contest.
Zohran Mamdani’s rise in the Democratic primary was bolstered by high-profile endorsements from progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom helped elevate his campaign among left-leaning voters. Additionally, Mamdani was cross-endorsed by some of his fellow candidates through ranked-choice voting, further consolidating progressive support. Since winning the Democratic primary, Mamdani has expanded his backing to include prominent New York State officials like Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. These endorsements reflect a broad coalition within the Democratic establishment rallying behind his candidacy.
Beyond elected officials, Mamdani has also gained the support of influential organizations such as the Working Families Party and the