On Thursday, September 18th, New York State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs said he will not endorse Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. His announcement came just days after Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani, highlighting the widening gap between the party’s progressive and moderate wings.
Jacobs cited major disagreements with Mamdani on how to address income inequality and on Israel, while distancing himself from the Democratic Socialists of America. His stance drew sharp criticism from within the party, with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris calling it “disgraceful” and former Gov. David Paterson describing it as a “rebuke” of Hochul. The dispute leaves Democrats facing questions about party unity heading into November’s election.
