House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pumping the brakes on the notion that Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist leading New York City’s mayoral race, represents the future of the Democratic Party.
After months of hesitation, Mr. Jeffries recently endorsed Mr. Mamdani, who secured a decisive victory in the party’s June primary. But when asked over the weekend whether Mr. Mamdani embodies the party’s future, Mr. Jeffries responded: “No.”
Instead, Mr. Jeffries pointed to House Democrats as the party’s torchbearers, emphasizing their efforts to reclaim the majority in next year’s midterm elections.
“We are communicating to the Americans, like we understand you deserve better than the country that you have received. Donald Trump and Republicans have gone way too far and failed to deliver anything meaningful for the American people,” he said on CNN’s State of the Union.
Mr. Mamdani’s ascent has rattled the Democratic establishment, as he taps into voter frustration over rising costs and eroding affordability.
Mr. Mamdani has held a consistent lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the primary to Mr. Mamdani by nearly 13 points, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Yet key figures — including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and other members of New York’s congressional delegation — have withheld their endorsements.
Mr. Mamdani’s platform includes proposals for free child care, fare-free public transit, city-run grocery stores, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the wealthiest 1% and large corporations.
His vocal criticism of Israel’s approach to the war in Gaza has also not sat well with some Democrats.
President Trump and Republicans have seized on Mr. Mamdani’s rise, casting him as the new poster boy for the Democratic Party and as emblematic of the party’s radical shift. They are betting his agenda will alienate mainstream voters, including those in states across the country that will cast their ballots in next year’s midterm elections.
Mr. Jeffries, however, dismissed that framing, insisting that Mr. Trump and the GOP will be the central issue next year, just as they will be in Tuesday’s off-year elections.
“The lightning rod in terms of what is going to impact the ability of either side to win control of the House, or hold control of the House in 2026, is going to be the failure of Republicans to actually deliver on the promises that they make and to actively make life worse for everyday Americans,” he said.
Mr. Jeffries said, “The country knows we are headed in the wrong direction.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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