New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs has refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani for mayor, despite the backing of Governor Kathy Hochul. The decision has created a major rift within the party, as Jacobs cited disagreements with Mamdani’s stance on Israel, particularly his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Jacobs also emphasized differing views on income inequality, stating that while they agree on the issue, they fundamentally disagree on how to address it. The rift threatens to undermine Hochul’s political influence and could impact Jacobs’ position within the party.
Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and his stance on the issue has become a major topic of the campaign cycle. While Jacobs dismissed the fearmongering around Mamdani’s campaign as a gross over-reaction, the loss of his endorsement could have an impact on Mamdani’s campaign. Jacobs also expressed his willingness to resign from his post if Hochul were to request it, highlighting the potential depth of the conflict within the party.
Hochul announced her endorsement of Mamdani in an opinion piece in The New York Times on Sept. 14, sharing the article on X and captioning it,