Scoop: Democratic leaders face growing revolt over Mamdani
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries departs his press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 30. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) progressive members are growing increasingly agitated at him for not yet endorsing Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: What began as a local issue has now reverberated throughout national Democratic politics and could have broader implications for Jeffries' leadership.
- One progressive House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts on their leader, said the issue has "real potential" to strain Jeffries' relations with progressive members.
- "It makes some of us ... wonder: Is this a leader that truly represents me, or will this leader discard me when people think I'm too progressive?" the lawmaker said.
State of play: Mamdani has been causing heartburn for the Democratic establishment, both in New York and Washington, D.C., since becoming the Democratic nominee for mayor in June.
- A self-identified democratic socialist, Mamdani has been sharply critical of Israel and has proposed free city buses, government-run grocery stores and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments.
- Democratic centrists have been highly wary of Mamdani, with Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) refusing to back him ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
- Still, some in the establishment have embraced him: Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and, most recently, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed him.
Yes, but: The Democratic nominee for mayor of New York is only strengthening his ties with the progressive wing of the national party.
- Mamdani made an appearance at a Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC retreat last weekend, according to four progressive lawmakers familiar with the matter.
- "He was extremely well-received and stayed to interact with members for several hours," one member who was present told Axios.
- Another member said Mamdani spoke about "how we need to, as Democrats, push our own party."
Between the lines: Jeffries, for his part, has assiduously deflected questions about if and when an endorsement of Mamdani is coming — even after meeting with him multiple times.
- "I'll have more to say about the mayor's race when I have more to say about the mayor's race," he told reporters on Monday.
- Several Democrats have publicly chided Jeffries, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who, asked Tuesday if it is time for Jeffries to endorse Mamdani, told Axios, "Yes."
- Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) told Axios of endorsing Mamdani: "I'll let leadership make their own calls, but I myself have."
What we're hearing: The continued holdup has "absolutely" left progressives frustrated with Jeffries, the House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Axios.
- "We just can't keep saying we have to stand with our Democratic nominees and then make exceptions when we think they're left of us. It's just inconsistent and hypocritical," the lawmaker said.
- A second progressive House Democrat told Axios that there is "100%" frustration with Jeffries among progressives in Congress "and across the country."
- "I think there's frustration," said a senior House progressive, who told Axios the issue "came up multiple times" during the CPC PAC retreat.
The other side: "I haven't had a conversation with any member of Congress who's expressed frustration to me as it relates to the New York City mayoral race," Jeffries told Axios at a press conference on Tuesday.
- He also reiterated his campaign's statement hitting back at Van Hollen by referring to the senator as "Chris Van Who?"
Zoom in: Several moderate House Democrats argued that, despite representing a New York City district, Jeffries has another constituency to think about as the House Democratic leader.
- Republicans "will wrap Mamdani's philosophies and statements around ... any Democrat that has a chance of upsetting a Republican seat or holding onto a tight seat," said one. "I think Jeffries is thinking about the majority."
- Another centrist told Axios: "His job is to worry about the national implications of winning back the congress, and [Mamdani] would hurt our chances in swing districts."
- But CPC members have been propagating their own theories, said the first House progressive: "Is it the donors? Is it AIPAC? Is it because they're worried someone might end up primarying a lot of people to the left?"
The bottom line: Some progressives are pressing Jeffries to throw his weight behind Mamdani while there is still time.
- "There's a number of them that are talking directly to leadership, saying, 'You don't get to say you're a leader and not lead,'" the first House progressive said.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comments by Jeffries at a press conference after this story was published.
