Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Saturday publicly rebuked New York Democrats for declining to endorse New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, calling the party’s hesitation “spineless” and saying members should throw their weight behind the self-described democratic socialist.
Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who did not name individual lawmakers in his remarks at an event in Iowa, singled out members of Congress from New York — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both Brooklyn natives — for staying on the sidelines despite recent meetings with Mamdani. "Many Democratic members of the Senate and the House representing New York have stayed on the sidelines," Van Hollen said. "That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of. They need to get behind him and get behind him now."
Van Hollen also leveled broader criticism at the Democratic Party, saying it had become "too cautious, too rudderless" and lamenting what he described as messaging that is "poll-washed, pundit-rinsed, and donor-dried." His comments came amid mounting pressure from some congressional Democrats for party leaders to endorse Mamdani after his surprise primary victory earlier this year, which has stirred debate within the party over its direction.
Schumer and Jeffries have each met with Mamdani in recent weeks but have not offered endorsements. Schumer said after a recent meeting that it "went well" and that the two "know each other well, and we're going to keep talking." A spokesperson for Jeffries responded to Van Hollen in a statement to The New York Times, saying, "Leader Hakeem Jeffries will have more to say about the general election well in advance of Nov. 4." The statement added, "Meanwhile, confused New Yorkers are asking themselves the question: Chris Van Who?"
Since Van Hollen's remarks, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul publicly endorsed Mamdani and explained her decision in an opinion piece for The New York Times. Hochul acknowledged policy disagreements with Mamdani but said they found common ground on affordability and public safety and that she believed he would not "surrender one inch to President Trump." She wrote that New York is stronger when state and city officials stand together.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, emerged from a competitive primary earlier this year that unsettled some party moderates and prompted discussion about the ideological balance within the Democratic coalition. Some of Mamdani’s allies have signaled an appetite to challenge sitting New York congressional Democrats in future primaries, underscoring growing intra-party tensions.
The exchange illustrates an internal debate for Democrats over whether to rally quickly behind a divisive nominee to build party unity heading into the fall general election or to withhold formal support while assessing political and policy differences. Van Hollen’s remarks pressed for immediate alignment; Jeffries’ office indicated the party’s public positioning on the general election will be addressed in due course.
Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer and Jeffries for comment and did not immediately receive responses. The developing dispute adds to a series of contested endorsements and strategic decisions confronting Democrats as they prepare for the November election cycle.