Democratic Party lawmakers are refusing to endorse Zohran Mamdani and are spreading lies about him in the process

Despite his decisive Democratic primary win, a number of leading Democratic lawmakers are holding out on endorsing Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s mayoral race.

“I congratulated him on the campaign that he ran, a campaign that clearly was relentlessly focused on the high cost of living in New York City and the economy. He outworked, he out-communicated, and he out-organized the opposition, and that’s clearly why he was successful,” told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told ABC News’s Jonathan Karl.

However, when he was pressed on whether he would back the Queens assembly member, Jeffries deferred.

 “We don’t really know each other well,” said Jeffries.

New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s was similarly evasive, telling a reporter that she had spoken to Mamdani but wasn’t focused on the race yet.

“Obviously, there’s areas of difference in our positions, but I also think we need to have those conversations, but in the meantime, I truly am not focused on the politics,” said Hochul. We’re six months away from inauguration day, and that’ll determine who I’m working with for the next four years. And that’s important, and what I’m doing, I’m focusing on affordability, and making New York City safe, and making the state safe. So that’s my primary objective right now.”

“I had serious concerns about Assemblyman Mamdani before yesterday, and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent,” tweeted Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY). “Those concerns remain.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Mamdani ran an “impressive” campaign and that he was looking forward to meeting with him, but declined to endorse the candidate.

Other Democrats claimed that Mamdani’s historic win would somehow hurt the Democratic Party.

“It’s going to be tough for front-liners because they’re in districts that have a lot of Republicans in it that would look at a Democrat and want to hear the narrative, ‘Oh, this guy’s radical,'” claimed Rep. George Latimer (D-NY) on CNN.

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) told a reporter that Mamdani’s nomination was “Christmas in July for the GOP.”

Despite winning an election in the most Jewish city in America, repeatedly speaking about the need to combat antisemitism during his campaign, and cross-endorsing Jewish candidate Brad Lander, pro-Israel politicians and pundits claim that Mamdani’s win makes Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe because he has refused to condemn the phrase “Globalize the Intifada”, a slogan that encourages international support for the Palestinian cause.

Mamdani has never actually used the phrase himself.

“Globalizing the Intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrasing,” said Jeffries. “He’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward. With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism in the city of New York, which has been an unacceptable development.”

Responding to a slew of inaccurate statements from an anti-Palestinian caller on The Brian Lehrer Show, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said that New York Jews were “alarmed” by Mamdani’s positions, “particularly references to global jihad.”

Lehrer pushed back on Gillibrand’s assertion, asking the Senator whether she had any proof that Mamdani supported violence.

 “Again Brian, I don’t have all the data and information, and I’ve never sat down with Mr. Mamdani,” she responded. “So I’ve asked to have that meeting.”

Gillibrand’s spokesman Evan Lukaske later put out a statement saying she had “misspoke” and conflated “Globalize the Intifada” with “Global Jihad.”

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) declared that Mamdani must “not only condemn anti-Jewish hate and calls for violence, but make clear that as Mayor he would take proactive steps to protect all New Yorkers and make us secure.”

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) baselessly claimed that Mamdani has called for violence against Jewish people in the past.

“I don’t associate myself with what he has said about the Jewish people,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) told CNN, without explaining what Mamdani has said about Jewish people that he disagrees with.

Current New York Mayor Eric Adams told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Mamdani was antisemitic because he praised Hamas. When Tapper questioned the claim, Adams told him that he would be able to find proof by doing a “little research.”

Despite these sentiments, Mamdani’s win has been celebrated by progressive congress members.

“Democratic Party Leaders: You have talked for six months about the need to create political excitement to get working class and young people involved in the political process,” tweeted Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “That’s exactly what Zohran did. Get behind him.”

“Zohran’s inspiring campaign showed what grassroots movements can achieve when we fight for bold policies,” wrote Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “His focus on government serving the people—not billionaires—will make life more affordable for NYC. I strongly support Zohran Mamdani. He’ll be a fantastic mayor!”

“Congratulations Zohran Mamdani!,” wrote Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) This is an incredible victory and testament to the people powered campaign you put together. Thank you NYC for not letting the bigots and corrupt billionaires prevail. This victory also belongs to you.”

Even pro-Israel, anti-BDS Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) has endorsed Mamdani already.

“New Yorkers want Democrats who will fight for a more affordable New York by bringing costs down and taking on big corporations,” said Nadler. “And they wanted elected leaders they can trust and believe in, which is why I’m proud to support Zohran Mamdani in the general election.”