Democratic Party boss Jay Jacobs says he will not endorse Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor

Jay Jacobs, the state’s Democratic boss, announced on Thursday afternoon that he won’t endorse Zohran Mamdani, who won the party’s nomination for New York City mayor in a resounding victory.

Jacobs, who also heads the Nassau County Democrats, made the announcement in a statement arguing that Mamdani’s democratic socialism does not represent "the principles, values or policies of the Democratic Party." And the two men "fundamentally disagree," the statement says, on how to combat what they agree is "America’s greatest problem:" the continuing growth of income inequality.

Still, Jacobs’ statement about Mamdani cautions that "all of the fear mongering around him and his candidacy is wrong and a gross over-reaction." 

Jacobs has never endorsed in a New York City mayoral race, he said, and he wouldn't be doing so this year. But Jacobs, the state party boss from 2009 to 2012 and from 2019 to now, has endorsed candidates in other races.

In an interview, Jacobs told Newsday he didn’t support Mamdani’s proposal to raise taxes on millionaires and big corporations or his promise to freeze regulated rents.

"There are unintended consequences with ideas that sound good," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said he is concerned about the public-safety platforms of the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani is a part of the DSA, although as a mayoral candidate, he has not endorsed all of its planks. But he has expressed sympathy for some of them in the past, such as prison abolition.

And there is the two men's fissure over Israel: Jacobs is a supporter who thinks Israel should remain a Jewish state; Mamdani is a longtime Israel critic who argued at a mayoral debate "that Israel has a right to exist as a state with equal rights" for all.

Still, Jacobs agrees with certain aspects of Mamdani’s mayoral platform, such as free public buses for those who need them and free child care, if, Jacobs said, Mamdani can find ways to pay for the programs.

On Sunday, Mamdani was endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and by the speaker of the state Senate, Carl Heastie, on Wednesday. Other prominent Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have not endorsed Mamdani.

The Mamdani campaign did not respond to an email seeking comment about Jacobs. 

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.