New York —
Sen. Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat and one of the most powerful Jewish politicians in the United States, did not endorse Zohran Mamdani and would not say who he voted for in New York City’s mayoral election.
But on Wednesday morning, he said he called the mayor-elect to offer his congratulations.
“We had a very, very good conversation,” Schumer said. “We said that we cared about New York City, and that we look forward to working together to help the city and improve the city. I congratulated him on running a very, very good campaign.”
Schumer’s comments represent just one taste of the mix of wary acceptance, fearful concern and joyous celebration from Jewish New Yorkers in the wake of Mamdani’s victory Tuesday.
Jews have long reliably supported the Democratic Party, but the mayoral election revealed a deep schism related to concerns about rising antisemitism and Mamdani’s long history of anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activism.
Preliminary CNN exit polls found about 64% of Jewish voters cast their ballot for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, while about one-third voted for Mamdani.
Some prominent rabbis and Jewish groups took the unusual step of urging their constituents to vote against the Democratic nominee, saying his positions on Israel were disqualifying. Other Jewish voters, particularly of the younger generations, saw his views on Israel as a positive or viewed them overall as less important than his domestic policies on affordability, housing and standing up to President Donald Trump.
