Mamdani meets with Hakim Jeffries again, no endorsement decision announced.
Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani convened an important meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Yvette Clarke, and over a dozen clergy leaders. While the gathering was marked by productive discussions, Jeffries has not yet confirmed his endorsement of Mamdani’s candidacy.
The meeting, held at a local church, lasted for approximately an hour and a half and included an open dialogue on several pressing issues facing the city. Topics ranged from the urgent affordability crisis impacting many residents to the alarming trend of Black New Yorkers leaving the five boroughs. According to Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani, the candidate shared his plans to ensure that all New Yorkers can afford to remain in the city and lead lives full of dignity.
Since securing his position as the Democratic nominee in the June primary, Mamdani has garnered the support of various influential unions and a number of party leaders. However, some key figures, including Jeffries, remain hesitant to endorse him, expressing reservations about Mamdani’s pro-Palestinian stance. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul have also withheld their endorsements, indicating a cautious approach among some prominent Democrats.
As she arrived at the meeting, Rep. Clarke remarked that she approached the discussion with an open mind but did not provide a timeline for any potential endorsements in the mayoral race, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding Mamdani’s campaign.
This meeting was not their first encounter. Mamdani and Jeffries previously met in July, where they outlined plans to reconvene with additional representatives and community leaders. The political landscape has been notably shaken by Mamdani’s unexpected primary victory, an outcome that surprised much of the political establishment.
In the weeks since his primary win, Mamdani has actively engaged with elected officials and business leaders in an effort to mitigate concerns about his left-leaning policies and ambitious campaign promises that resonate with a populist agenda.
As the election approaches, the dynamics within the Democratic Party and the responses from its leaders will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of Mamdani’s campaign for mayor of New York City.
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