2 Democratic Power Players ‘Agree to Strongly Disagree’ Over a New York House Primary

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have backed different candidates in a contested Democratic congressional primary, where early voting is underway for the June 23 primary.

Jeffries has thrown his support behind longtime incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) in New York’s 13th Congressional District, which covers parts of Harlem in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Mamdani has endorsed Espaillat’s opponent, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist who worked on the mayor’s campaign last year. The socialist challenger is also backed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

When asked about his endorsement and if Mamdani’s brand of politics to the left is the future of the Democratic Party, Jeffries defended the incumbent and the party.

“Well, we believe that commonsense, get-stuff-done Democrats will remain the heart and soul of the Democratic Party,” he told Fox 5 New York on June 15. “Congressman Espaillat, who’s a progressive leader, falls into that category. And with respect to this endorsement, the mayor and I have agreed to strongly disagree.”

Jeffries added, “I’m going to do everything I can to help Congressman Espaillat win reelection.”

Espaillat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has represented the district since 2017. He is also the first formerly illegal immigrant elected to the United States Congress. He endorsed Mamdani for mayor after initially backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary. Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier during a late-May television appearance.

Chevalier has criticized the incumbent for taking money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel PAC, as well as from “corporate real estate.” She has made immigration, the war in Gaza, the cost of living, and the “political establishment” key pillars of her campaign.

Espaillat has also emphasized his efforts to “dismantle ICE,” and promote affordability in his campaign.

The disagreement puts the House Democratic leader and the mayor of the nation’s largest city on opposite sides of another competitive primary. Mamdani had also backed former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in his primary challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) in the 10th Congressional District earlier this year.

Mamdani’s endorsements have put him at odds with other prominent New York Democrats. Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Espaillat and campaigned alongside Goldman.

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), who is retiring, endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to succeed her, rather than Claire Valdez, the democratic socialist Mamdani supports.

Espaillat’s campaign, Mamdani’s office, and Chevalier’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.