Hakeem Jeffries tells CNN Mamdani not the future of Democratic Party
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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said in an interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he does not see New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as the future of the Democratic Party.
Asked by CNN host Jake Tapper if he believed Mamdani was the future of the party, Jeffries replied: “No, I think the future of the Democratic Party is going to come down to the House Democratic Caucus and members across the country who are doing great work, versus our need for both of us to take back control of the House.”
Jeffries continued to criticize President Donald Trump and tout Proposition 50, predicting positive Democratic turnout in Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey and California.
Tapper pressed Jeffries, saying he didn’t really answer the question.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries (DY) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on October 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters during a campaign event in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on November 1, 2025. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
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“Are you worried about Republicans using it? [Mamdani] As a lightning rod? To harm your ability to win back the House in 2026?,” Tapper asked.
Mamdani will face former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is the front-runner in the race.
“No, the lightning rod in terms of what will impact either party’s ability to gain control of the House of Representatives or maintain control of the House in 2026 will be Republicans’ failure to deliver on the promises they’ve made and actively make life worse for ordinary Americans,” Jeffries said.
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a campaign rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on October 26, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
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He added that Americans know the country is heading in the “wrong direction” and placed the blame on Trump and the Republican Party.
Jeffries endorsed Mamdani in late October.
“Zohran Mamdani has been relentlessly focused on finding solutions to the economic crisis and has publicly committed to being mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who did not support his candidacy,” Jeffries said in the statement. he said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DY) hold a press conference about the GOP compromise bill at the Capitol in Washington on June 11, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
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However, the Parliamentary Minority leader also said in his statement that there were “areas of principled disagreement” with Mamdani.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, DY, did not endorse Mamdani.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., criticized Schumer on Thursday for not supporting the Democratic socialist candidate.
Omar was asked why she believes Schumer withheld her support.
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“I really don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense,” Omar said. “As Democrats, we have always believed in supporting our party’s candidate in elections. Schumer has pressured other Democrats to do the same, and he should follow his own advice.”
