New York House Democrats Stop Short of Pressuring Leaders to Endorse Mamdani

Democratic leaders have defended Mamdani against Trump and lawmakers’ racist and Islamophobic attacks, but they haven’t backed him officially.

Zohran Mamdani
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is scheduled to meet with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries this week. Heather Khalifa/AP

Zohran Mamdani’s supporters in Congress are calling for the Democratic Party to unite behind its nominee for New York City mayor, but they’re also not pressuring party leaders to endorse Mamdani.

“The message is Democratic unity,” Rep. Yvette Clarke said, later adding, “I’m a Democrat and I’m inclined to support the Democratic candidate.”

But Clarke stopped short of sharing her thoughts on whether House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer or New York Gov. Kathy Hochul — some of the nation’s highest-profile Democrats — should back Mamdani.