January 1, Jeffries Hesitates Backing Socialist NYC Nominee

Wyatt’s Take

• Jeffries still dodges backing Mamdani for mayor.
• Democrat leaders are uneasy about socialist candidates.
• Concerns about antisemitism and Israel policy linger.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries won’t support Zohran Mamdani just yet, even though Mamdani won the Democratic slot for New York City mayor. Jeffries told ABC he plans more talks with Mamdani, but the election is fast approaching and the endorsement remains up in the air.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tells @JonKarl that he has not endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate in the New York City mayoral race, but says he is looking forward to “continuing” conversations.

Read more: https://t.co/wHsSsY4AJk pic.twitter.com/hlxOyFmicq

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) October 19, 2025

Asked directly if he backed the candidate, Jeffries said,

“I have not.”

Jeffries mentioned he’s interested in more discussions before early voting begins, but has been cagey about making a full commitment.

Karl raised why Jeffries is so reluctant, pointing out it’s rare for a sitting New York Congressman and Democrat leader to hesitate in supporting the party’s mayoral nominee.

Jeffries deflected, saying,

“We’ve had very good conversations over the last few months,”

and called those conversations “forward-looking” and “community-based.”

He stressed their districts don’t overlap and emphasized the need for a direct conversation about the issues facing the city.

One big sticking point is Mamdani’s stance on Israel. Jeffries said,

“Globalizing the Intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrasing.”

He added that any candidate would need to take antisemitism seriously, especially representing Jewish neighborhoods.

Reports say Jeffries is uneasy about Mamdani’s support for BDS and his talk of having Israel’s prime minister arrested if he visited New York.

If you want politicians who put America and its communities first, keep watching these races and speaking your mind at the polls.

Wyatt Matters

When our elected leaders won’t stand up with conviction, it leaves everyday folks wondering whose side they’re on. Middle America expects honesty, not party games or vague answers.

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