New York State Democratic Committee (NYSDC) Chairman Jay Jacobs, left, refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani, center, for mayor despite New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, right, already doing so. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images;)
The Hill reported that the NYSDC leader said that he disagreed with Mamdani’s stance on Israel.
Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions throughout the war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. His stance on the issue has become a major topic of the campaign cycle, particularly when he refused to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," which some view as a call for violence against Jews. Mamdani has since distanced himself from the phrase, saying he would discourage his supporters from using it.
While he would not back Mamdani for mayor, Jacobs dismissed "fearmongering" surrounding the self-described Democratic socialist’s campaign as "a gross over-reaction."
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party's mayoral nominee in New York City, speaks to reporters on Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Hochul announced her endorsement of Mamdani in an opinion piece in The New York Times on Sept. 14.
She shared the article on X and captioned the post, "New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s [Zohran Mamdani]."
A recent Quinnipiac University survey showed Mamdani garnering 45% support among likely New York City voters. He was followed by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at 23%, Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa at 15%, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams at 12%. Cuomo and Adams are running as independents, while Sliwa is running as a Republican.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jacobs, Mamdani and Hochul but did not immediately hear back.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ny-state-dem-boss-refuses-endorse-mamdani-causing-huge-rift-party