NYC Mayoral Hopeful Mamdani Courts Jeffries, Schumer Amid Israel Controversy

In a pivotal moment for New York City’s upcoming mayoral election, controversial Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani is pulling out all the stops to win over key party heavyweights. On Friday, Mamdani is set to sit down with House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn for a crucial conversation that could sway an endorsement. Jeffries, playing his cards close to the chest, told reporters yesterday that he approaches high-profile endorsements with careful deliberation after personal discussions. No hints yet on which way he’s leaning, but the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Adding to the intrigue, Mamdani is also slated to meet with Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, though no date has been confirmed. The tension here is palpable, given their starkly opposing views on Israel. Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel and vocal critic of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, stands in contrast to Mamdani, who has been a fierce critic of Israel and a backer of BDS. Mamdani’s past statements, including his hesitance to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and his initial reluctance to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," have sparked significant backlash. Recently, though, he’s attempted to soften his stance, reportedly telling business leaders he’d avoid the phrase and discourage its use.

Despite these controversies, Mamdani has garnered some notable support. Rep. Jerry Nadler, a prominent Jewish Democrat from New York, has thrown his weight behind the candidate. Even Schumer, while not yet endorsing, defended Mamdani against GOP attacks, calling out former President Donald Trump’s threat to arrest Mamdani if elected mayor over potential ICE disputes as a "pathetic absurdity" and a danger to American values.

Fresh off a trip to D.C. where he rubbed shoulders with party powerhouses at a breakfast hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani also secured the backing of Rep. Ro Khanna, who praised his charisma and relatability. Yet, with a crowded field including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, current Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, every endorsement counts. As Mamdani navigates these high-stakes meetings, the question remains: can he bridge the ideological divides within his own party to clinch the support he needs?