Eric Adams praises NY Dem boss for refusing to endorse Zohran Mamdani

Mayor Eric Adams praised New York Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs on Friday for defiantly refusing to endorse socialist Zohran Mamdani — a stance that highlighted a deep rift in the party.

Adams, in a pointed statement backing Jacobs and decrying the party’s leftward swing, also took clear aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul for her shock endorsement of Mamdani this week.

Without naming Hochul, Adams — who is polling nearly 40 points behind Mamdani in the November mayoral race — bitterly complained about the “troubling” support the radical Democratic nominee has received.

“At a time when our party must be focused on safety, opportunity, and keeping New York strong, it is deeply troubling to see support given to Zohran Mamdani — a politician whose reckless rhetoric and dangerous policies threaten to divide our communities,” Adams, a Democrat running as an independent, said.

“Mr. Mamdani’s refusal to embrace the internationally recognized IHRA definition of antisemitism, his past tolerance of extremist slogans, and his radical economic vision are not just out of step with mainstream Democrats — they are harmful to the very values that make New York strong.”

The mayor applauded Jacobs’ “independence” and offered his full support for him staying on as chair.

“Jay Jacobs’ leadership is critical to keeping the Democratic Party rooted in common sense, rejecting the march toward socialism, and ensuring that extremists do not hijack our values,” Adams said.

Jacobs’ anti-endorsement of Mamdani represented a highly unusual rupture between the state Democratic Party’s chair and governor over who should lead New York City — and laid bare Dems’ divides over the party’s overall direction.

Sources have said that Jacobs, a moderate and strong supporter of Israel, considered resigning after Hochul blindsided him by endorsing Mamdani.

The move aligns Jacobs with many in the party, including his fellow Long Island Democrats Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, who oppose Mamdani’s criticism of Israel and unapologetic socialism both on principle and as potentially alienating for moderate New York voters.

Hochul acknowledged her disagreements with Mamdani as she endorsed him, but argued his focus on affordability and potential to fight President Trump made him the clear pick.

Insiders noted her support of Mamdani could help her gain credibility among progressives as she faces a primary challenge from her left flank in next year’s gubernatorial primary.

Mamdani’s electoral rival Andrew Cuomo, who as governor had appointed Jacobs to his post in 2019, said he couldn’t recall a time when the Democrats’ chair crossed the governor on endorsing a Big Apple mayoral nominee.

“It clarifies the situation,” Cuomo said Thursday during a campaign event in Staten Island. The Democratic Party chairman did not endorse Mamdani – why? Because he is not a Democrat.

“He is a socialist. He is a socialist who ran and won in a Democratic primary. Socialists and Democrats are apples and oranges.”

Mamdani thoroughly trounced Cuomo in the June primary, winning more voters than any New York City Dem in more than 30 years.

Many Empire State Democrats have long been unhappy with Jacobs’ leadership, arguing his mild-mannered approach failed to fire up voters and blaming him for the party’s poor showing in the 2022 midterm elections.

His failure to get behind Mamdani, the party’s nominee who has proven a phenom at energizing voters, is only the latest gripe many Dems have against him.

“Disgraceful. The Chair of the Democratic Party refusing to support the candidate clearly selected by the voters of the Democratic Party,” state Sen. Michael Gianaris posted on X.

“If he won’t perform that most basic responsibility of a party leader, what exactly is he doing over there?”

One party source pointed out some in the party were already annoyed with Jacobs, believing him spending his summer running summer camps shows he lacks the energetic focus to lead and win.

“There’s a huge group that isn’t on his side that thinks he’s a weak leader,” the source said.

— Additional reporting by Carl Campanile