Hakeem Jeffries draws backlash for embracing DSA-backed nominees in NY
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly embraced a new crop of congressional candidates on Saturday; These included candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, whose primary victories sparked new debate about the Democratic Party’s shift to the left ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The powerful New York lawmaker’s post underscores the challenge facing the top House Democrat as he tries to unite his party ahead of the general election. If Democrats take back the House of Representatives in November, Jeffries is expected to be the next speaker. That means he’ll likely lead a Democratic caucus that more self-identifies as Democratic Socialists than ever before. So far, more than a dozen American-backed Democratic Socialist candidates have won or advanced in nationwide primaries this election cycle.
In a post X“Congratulations to our Democratic candidates,” Jeffries wrote before listing the party’s congressional candidates from across New York. Among those recognized were Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier; All were affiliated with or supported by the Democratic Socialists of America and had triumphed in last week’s closely watched Democratic primary.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Trump official Bill Pulte a “malicious clown.” (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg)
“From public officials to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same,” Jeffries wrote. “We must decisively address the affordability crisis and crush far-right extremism!”
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Lander, Chevalier and Valdez received support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani; his endorsements helped cement the growing influence of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in New York politics. Lander and Chevalier defeated incumbent Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who Jeffries supported, in the Democratic primary. jeffries He did not support the open-seat race won by Claire Valdez.
Now, as Democrats turn their attention to the general election, he appears to be rallying behind the party’s candidates trying to win back the House of Representatives in November.
Socialist candidates have also faced scrutiny over resurfaced social media posts, support for defunding the police and anti-Israel rhetoric, positions that have put them at odds with many in the Democratic Party.
Socialist New York congressional candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier (L), Claire Valdez (C), and Brad Lander. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Chevalier has faced scrutiny over resurfaced social media posts, including one in which he called for “the literal removal of the border.”
He has also faced renewed scrutiny for past social media posts targeting prominent Democrats, including calling former President Joe Biden a “war criminal,” attacking former Vice President Kamala Harris and berating Sen. Bernie Sanders on Israel.
Like Chevalier, Valdez and Lander, who is Jewish, share his views that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza.
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Jeffries’ decision to publicly congratulate the three nominees quickly sparked criticism.
The Republican Jewish Coalition criticized Jeffries’ congratulatory message, warning Jewish voters that these candidates were not the Democrats’ “debut” but the new faces of the party.
“To Jewish Democrats: your party is telling you EXACTLY who you are,” the coalition wrote. “These future members of Congress welcomed with open arms by @hakeemjeffries want to: Abolish prisons and borders. Neutralize the police. Downplay 9/11,” describes other serious arguments from the candidates.
Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council and State Department official and lifelong Democrat, condemned Jeffries for congratulating the nominees.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference in Manhattan on Thursday. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“When I first read this post, I thought it was from a fake account. I am deeply concerned that it is completely real,” Metzl wrote. “To welcome these candidates without acknowledging and criticizing their sympathies with what the United States defines as terrorist organizations, their calls to abolish the police, their stated desire to dismantle Western civilization, and their blatant anti-Americanism is to sacrifice the fundamental principles of the Democratic Party.”
Metzl accused Jeffries of putting his bid to become speaker of the House of Representatives ahead of Democratic Party principles.
“I understand your ambition to become Speaker if Democrats retake the House, but you must not sacrifice the principles of our party to advance your own political ambitions,” Metzl said. he wrote.
The Democratic leadership this week faced questions from the media about how to reconcile support for a slate of socialist candidates in New York. Valdez’s supporters seen On Tuesday night, a television screen showing Jeffries was shouting “you’re next.”
“They will eat the next member of Congress and replace him with one of their own,” conservative commentator Meghan McCain said Published on X
“This is hilarious,” conservative commentator Robby Starbuck said. Published on X. “Hakeem still doesn’t realize the communists are going to eat him alive. He’s clearly not a student of history. Bless his heart.”
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Speaking on CNN on Friday, Jeffries said: “I think what happened in a handful of primaries in one of the bluest cities in the country is in no way indicative of what needs to happen in November, where we need to re-elect every single front-line Member, level-headed Democrats who are truly committed to making life better for the American people by opposing these extreme Republicans who are nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s agenda.”
“Make sure we also flip red seats blue, including New York-17, where war veteran, incredibly patriotic American Cait Conley also emerged from the primary on Tuesday and is an incredibly strong candidate. She will beat Mike Lawler in New York in November.”
