The New York State Democratic Party re-elected Jay Jacobs as its chairman Thursday, despite his decision not to endorse Zohran Mamdani in last year’s mayoral race.
Jacobs won 82% of the vote from party committee members. Caitlin Ogden, chair of the Otsego County Democratic Party, received 14%, while 4% of members abstained.
Gov. Kathy Hochul supported Jacobs’ bid for another term, even as some party insiders sought to remove him over his refusal to back Mamdani.
Jacobs is a strong supporter of Israel, while Hizzoner has sharply criticized the Jewish state and called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the mayoral campaign, Jacobs said he and Mamdani agreed that America’s most pressing challenge was the continued growth of income inequality, but differed fundamentally over how to address it.
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“Furthermore, as I expressed to him directly, I strongly disagree with his views on the State of Israel, along with certain key policy positions,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs, who also leads the Nassau County Democratic Party, is viewed as a moderate voice in a party that has moved further left. That shift has been reflected in the victories of democratic socialists, including Mamdani in the mayoral race and congressional candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez.
He has led the state party during two separate stints spanning 10 years under former Gov. David Paterson, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Hochul. His latest victory gives him another two-year term.
“I am honored to be re-elected as New York State Democratic Party Chairman and ready to build on the success we have made to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot,” Jacobs said after Thursday’s party committee meeting in Tarrytown.
“We are a diverse and united party, and we have candidates all across the state who are standing up to Donald Trump’s attacks on our state and fighting for New York families. I am excited to continue working with the phenomenal leaders who are going to lead us to victory in November.”