Nassau backs Jacobs in party discord over Mamdani

Daily Point

Democratic discord? Not in Nassau, not for now

The crevice has been widening for some time in the state’s Democratic Party. It’s generally described as tension between “moderates” and “radicals.” But specifically, among Nassau Democrats, county and state chairman Jay Jacobs’ refusal to go along with Gov. Kathy Hochul and endorse NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani was drawing amens and cheers 43 days before Election Day.

Democratic socialist Mamdani’s antagonistic statements toward Israel and the NYPD of recent years have given the GOP a powerful and dramatic theme for attack ads and fundraising.

Echoing remarks from moderate Long Islanders, longtime New York City political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, an outspoken Mamdani nemesis, was effusive Sunday in a statement to The Point.

“Jacobs made the correct political and moral decision. Mamdani will mean Republican statewide suburban gains and potential trouble for what remains of Nassau Democrats,” Sheinkopf said. “Mamdani’s virulent anti-Israel positions, including DSA calls for globalizing the intifada… is the moral reason. It’s unique these days when morality and politics meet. Jacobs combined them in a brave gesture.”

The county’s embattled Democratic House members, Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, spoke out ahead of Jacobs. In July, Gillen called the mayoral nominee, who’s an Assembly member from Astoria, “a threat to my constituents” and “not the right face” for the party. Last week, Suozzi said he and his voters “believe socialism has consistently failed to deliver real, sustainable progress.”

Effectively distancing Long Island races from the city drama would stand to help Legis. Seth Koslow, who’s running an outfunded, underdog challenge to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. A campaign aide told The Point on Monday that Koslow is “focused on what he can change and deliver – affordability for residents, protecting taxpayers, and fixing what Blakeman broke.”

Seeing a state chair openly dissent from his or her governor is the most unique feature of this episode. Less unique is any governor backing any local candidate of the same party. Whether a rift of any significance develops between Jacobs and Hochul remains to be seen. While Jacobs reportedly learned of Hochul’s decision to back Mamdani beforehand, it seems unlikely he could have dissuaded her, since she will need to maximize support in the city for next year’s gubernatorial bid.

Since it’s likely to have little or no impact on the city’s election — which is now Mamdani’s to lose — Hochul can evoke a “big tent.” “They’re agreeing to disagree,” a Hochul ally told The Point on Monday. “We’ll see if it sharpens. Some folks are trying to push this as a civil war for their own reasons.”

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Bushel of confirmations

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Quick Points

Don’t bet on it

• The dissipated John Daly, legendary golfer, broke the PGA Tour Champions record last week by taking a 19 on a par-5, finishing with an 88. Guess Daly’s not expected at Bethpage Black this week.
• The Senate last week confirmed 48 of President Donald Trump’s nominees, the first mass confirmations after adopting new rules to avoid delays by Democrats. Although 47 would have been more fitting for this administration.
• Speaking of records, New Haven, Connecticut, broke the Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party by serving more than 9,000 slices of za. New York’s response? Fuhgeddaboudit!
• Chimpanzees apparently booze harder than a college student at homecoming. By eating fermented fruit, chimps consume about two drinks a day. The next sci-fi box office smash: “Planet of the Grapes.”
• The Lycoming College football team in Pennsylvania has an unusual rookie – 58-year-old freshman defensive lineman Thomas Cillo. Ice baths are booked solid.
• Albania appointed the world’s first AI government minister, named Diella, to its parliament. In a speech, Diella said, “Let me remind you, the real danger to constitutions has never been the machines but the inhumane decisions of those in power.” Doubt anyone worried the cotton gin would usurp humanity.

— Mark Nolan mark.nolan@newsday.com

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