The Zohran Mamdani campaign suffered a significant blow this week after losing the endorsement of a key party leader. Jay Jacobs, chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, confirmed he will not support Mamdani’s bid for New York City mayor. His announcement came despite Governor Kathy Hochul endorsing Mamdani just days earlier.
Jacobs explained his position in a statement released Tuesday. He acknowledged that he and Mamdani agree on the issue of income inequality. However, he said they “fundamentally disagree” on how to address it.
More importantly, Jacobs cited Mamdani’s stance on Israel as a deal-breaker. The Democratic socialist has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas. This position has drawn both national attention and political controversy.
Mamdani also sparked backlash when he refused to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Many consider it a call for violence against Jews. Although Mamdani later discouraged supporters from using the phrase, the damage may have already been done.
Nevertheless, Jacobs warned against exaggerating Mamdani’s positions. He called the fearmongering around Mamdani’s campaign “a gross overreaction.” While Jacobs’ rejection may not end the Zohran Mamdani campaign, it could weaken his influence within the party. According to Politico, Jacobs said he would resign if Governor Hochul requested it.
Governor Hochul, however, doubled down on her support for Mamdani. On September 14, she wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times endorsing his candidacy. She then posted on X, stating, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable.”
As the election draws closer, Mamdani continues to lead in the polls. A Quinnipiac University survey shows him at 45% support among likely voters. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, follows at 23%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa holds 15%, while current mayor Eric Adams sits at just 12%. Adams is also running as an independent this cycle.
Despite the internal conflict, the Zohran Mamdani campaign remains on solid ground with progressive voters. Still, tensions within the Democratic Party may complicate his path forward. The coming weeks will determine whether Mamdani can maintain momentum or lose ground due to these fractures.
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