An Oct 24 story, Newsweek:
Why It Matters
Jeffries’ endorsement of Mamdani signals a significant shift in New York’s Democratic power structure, bridging a months-long divide between establishment leaders and the party’s progressive wing. As the House minority leader and a national figure, Jeffries’ support lends institutional legitimacy to Mamdani’s candidacy and may influence undecided voters ahead of early voting.
The move also highlights the Democratic Party’s internal reckoning over its ideological future, especially in urban strongholds like New York City. With key figures like Governor Kathy Hochul and Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie already on board, Jeffries’ endorsement isolates remaining holdouts and underscores the growing influence of Democratic socialists in mainstream politics. It sets the stage for contentious debates over policy, party unity, and electoral strategy heading into the 2026 midterms.
Mamdani has shaken the political field in New York City, winning the Democratic nomination over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's now running as an independent. He has consistently been leading in the polls. The state assemblymember has been celebrated by many young progressives as well as endorsed by top Democrats, while criticized by conservatives and some moderates concerned about what the city would look like under his leadership.
What To Know
Jeffries' endorsement of Mamdani for New York City mayor comes months of internal party pressure and strategic hesitation. Jeffries acknowledged the two Democrats differences, telling the Times, they have "areas of principled disagreement," but also noted that Mamdani won "a free and fair election" in the primary, and the importance of a united party against the "existential" threat of President Donald Trump.
The House minority leader also said in his statement, "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 as well as Black and Latino neighborhoods that have battled deadly gun violence for years."
Jeffries’ backing aligns him with top Democrats who have recently rallied behind Mamdani, with Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, set to rally alongside Mamdani in Queens on Sunday. Other prominent local Democrats, including Heastie and Representatives Jerry Nadler and Yvette Clarke have already endorsed Mamdani.
The move leaves Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the last major holdout among state Democratic leadership. Jeffries, who previously deflected questions about Mamdani, has expressed admiration for the candidate’s affordability agenda and concern over his rhetoric and policy execution. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who ended his reelection campaign last month, endorsed Cuomo in the race.
Schumer's position is awaited. Will he balk, or join?
UPDATE: To say Jeffries is now bending to pressures from others is to deny that one can grow in scope and outlook, and reach new and possibly altered conclusions. Earlier Business Insider reporting noted and quoted in concluding paragraphs:
In 2021, Jeffries started Team Blue, a PAC formed specifically to protect Democratic incumbents from primary challengers. His co-founder was Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a conservative Democrat who also staunchly opposed the Build Back Better Act.
The congressman has also made statements declaring pro-Israel beliefs and has supported legislation that would penalize companies and Americans that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
"There's a difference between progressive Democrats and hard-left democratic socialists," Jeffries told the Atlantic in 2021. "I'm a Black progressive Democrat concerned with addressing racial and social and economic injustice with the fierce urgency of now. That's been my career, that's been my journey, and it will continue to be as I move forward for however long I have an opportunity to serve. There will never be a moment where I bend the knee to hard-left democratic socialism."
The man has grown. Not that a House leader better equipped and attuned cannot be proposed or found, just that he's grown. He needs to grow more, but there is time and opportunity aplenty for him, as he may choose or not. Junking Gottheimer cleanly and with finality would certainly be a show of good faith.
Don't bet on it, but is there a better litmus test?