Both Jeffries and Mamdani gave slippery nods about the meeting as Top House Democrats have not yet supported the mayoral candidate.
Zohran Mamdani visits DC to meet Democrats after NYC Primary victory
Zohran Mamdani visited Washington, DC, to meet with Democrats after a major victory for the NYC mayor.
NEW YORK – Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, is still working to gain support from party leaders a few weeks after turmoiling Big Apple politics.
On July 18, the 33-year-old state legislator and a democratic socialist met with Hakeem Jeffries, the house leader of the Brooklyn Democrats, Mamdani’s campaign announced. They spoke for an hour in East New York, New York, in Jeffreys’ Congressional District.
Both gave a warm nod to the meeting as Jeffries, a top house Democrat, has yet to support mayoral candidates following Mamdani’s upset victory in the Democratic primary in June. Staff described the conversation as “candid” and “constructive” and focused on dealing with affordable prices in famous, expensive cities.
“Their hour-long conversation was open and constructive, focusing on the costs of the living crisis facing New Yorkers in 2026 and the importance of Democrats regaining the House,” said Jeffrey Lerner, a spokesman for Mamdani’s campaign, in a statement. “As a next step, both agreed to immediately reconvene with additional members of the New York City Delegation, along with key community leaders.”
Mamdani’s upset at the Primary on June 24th sent a shockwave amid New York’s democratic establishment against former governor Andrew Cuomo. Like Jeffries, Brooklyn native Gov. Kathy Hochul and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer are not supporting Mamdani.
“Leader Jeffries and Congressman Mamdani discussed a variety of other important issues, including public safety, rising anti-Semitism, gentrification and the importance of reclaiming the House in 2026,” Jefferies spokesman Justin Chelmoll said.
Mamdani’s meeting with Jeffries on July 18th – In an undisclosed office space, Mamdani came two days after he went to Washington in the capital.
Turning to the November general election, Cuomo chose to run independently as a jockey in search of a centralized lane against Mayor Eric Adams, who was trying to defeat Mamdani. All will face Republican candidate, mayor Curtis Swawa.
Eduardo Quebus is based in New York City. Contact him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or by signalling emcuevas.01.
