Jeffries Says Mamdani Has “Work to Do” to Placate Establishment Dems in Congress

The election of three Democratic socialist candidates earlier this week in congressional races within New York City has many establishment Democrats worried — including, it appears, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

On Tuesday, Democratic Socialist of America (DSA)-aligned candidates Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez all won their primary races in districts within the city. Both Lander and Avila Chevalier ousted Democratic Party incumbents in their contests.

Reacting to those three candidates’ wins, Jeffries — who recognized the victories came after the endorsement of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is also a Democratic socialist — said it would be important for the two to bridge the gaps between their ideological stances.

“The mayor and I agree to strongly disagree about some of his endorsements,” Jeffries said after the election took place.

Jeffries seemed to imply that Mamdani’s endorsements could be detrimental to the Democratic Party overall. He also said it would be Mamdani’s responsibility, not the candidates themselves, to make him and other party members feel at ease.