2:27The House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, delivers remarks at a news briefing on the House steps, several weeks into the ongoing U.S. government impasse on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 23, 2025. Kylie Cooper/Reuters
After weeks of abstaining from taking a stand on the New York City mayoral contest, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries revealed Friday that he was supporting Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Jeffries, who represents areas of Brooklyn, stated that despite some "areas of principled disagreement" between him and Mamdani, he recognized the state assemblyman's triumph in the June primary and appealed for solidarity.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during a press conference on the House steps, weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 23, 2025.Kylie Cooper/Reuters
“Zohran Mamdani has consistently concentrated on resolving the affordability predicament and openly pledged to serve as a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not endorse his candidacy,” the congressman articulated in his statement.
"The stakes are critical. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have initiated an unparalleled assault on the economy, stripped healthcare from my constituents, turned the Department of Justice into a weapon against our state’s Attorney General and commanded masked agents to heartlessly target law-abiding immigrant families," Jeffries further added.
Mamdani expressed his gratitude to Jeffries in a statement.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani gestures after speaking during a rally in Washington Heights, New York on October 13, 2025.Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
"I appreciate Leader Jeffries’ backing and anticipate establishing a city government and cultivating a Democratic Party resolutely dedicated to our affordability platform — and to combating Trump’s authoritarianism," he declared. "Our drive to move beyond the politics of big money and limited ideas is growing stronger each day."
The New York Times initially reported Jeffries' approval.
Just earlier on Friday morning, Jeffries refrained from endorsing Mamdani.
"I have not declined to endorse. I have refrained from stating my stance, and I will shortly, at some point prior to the start of early voting," Jeffries stated on Friday morning.
Early voting for the election commences on Saturday.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
