Presumed Dem mayoral nom campaigned on government-run grocery stores; Schumer and Jeffries praise focus on ‘affordability’
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) on Wednesday praised Zohran Mamdani following his Democratic primary victory in New York City’s mayoral race, saying that Mamdani’s socialist campaign—which includes proposals such as government-run grocery stores—resonated with voters.
“I think what’s clear is that [Mamdani’s] relentless focus on affordability had great appeal all across the city of New York,” Jeffries said when Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough asked if Mamdani’s upset win Tuesday evening over former New York governor Andrew Cuomo “provides a roadmap for Democrats running in 2026 on how to energize the base.”
Mamdani “outworked, out-organized, and out-communicated the opposition,” Jeffries told Scarborough.
Schumer echoed the praise, writing in an X post that Mamdani “ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity.” Schumer added that he spoke to Mamdani Wednesday morning and will meet with the socialist candidate soon.
Mamdani and Schumer have worked together before in support of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, the Senate minority leader noted. Schumer, who is Jewish, in the post did not mention Mamdani’s history of anti-Semitic comments.
Jeffries in an X post said that he and Mamdani “spoke this morning and plan to meet in Central Brooklyn shortly.”
Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who was endorsed by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), has long faced scrutiny over his far-left agenda, which includes government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, free public transportation, and a $30 minimum wage.
He has also come under fire for his anti-Semitic rhetoric. The candidate earlier this month defended the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a popular chant at anti-Israel protests that calls for violence against Jews worldwide. He has refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, expressed support for the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and declared that, if elected mayor, he will not visit the Jewish state.
Even the left-leaning New York Times editorial board declared Mamdani unqualified to serve as mayor, Scarborough noted Wednesday, while the Wall Street Journal warned that Mamdani is far too extreme on economic issues and Israel.
When Scarborough asked Jeffries to share his “thoughts on [Mamdani] ideologically,” the House Democratic leader sidestepped the question. “We have an affordability crisis in the United States of America,” Jeffries said before pivoting to criticize Republicans.
