New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a rally with Hotel & Gaming Trades Council workers, in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen stood before Iowa Democrats over the weekend and blasted his party’s leadership as “spineless” for refusing to endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

“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.”

It was another jab in an ongoing rift within the party over Mamdani's campaign. Democratic leaders in Washington and moderate Democrats on the ballot this fall are actively distancing themselves from Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, while progressives rally behind him, noting Mamdani's economic populism and youthful charisma have generated tremendous support from grassroots activists well beyond New York.

Meanwhile, Republicans, including President Donald Trump, are watching with delight and sometimes piling on, linking Mamdani and his far-left policies to the Democratic brand. That's been the case in New Jersey and Virginia, the only states holding elections for governor this year, and GOP officials have signaled that the strategy will continue well into next year’s high-stakes midterm elections.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani on Sunday, declaring in a New York Times opinion piece that “New York needs leaders who will put aside differences, stand up and fight back against Mr. Trump.”

Trump responded Monday in a social media post where he inaccurately described Mamdani as a communist and implied federal funding could be withheld from the city if Mamdani is elected.

“This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City," Trump wrote. "Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill haven't endorsed

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has repeatedly declined to endorse Mamdani when asked by reporters, saying, “I choose to make endorsements when I choose to make endorsements.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he met with Mamdani last week — but did not endorse him. Both are New Yorkers.

Schumer and Mamdani worked together on issues in the past, including debt relief for taxi drivers, and have spoken highly of each other. After Mamdani won the Democratic primary, Schumer praised him on social media for running a campaign that connected with New Yorkers.

The lack of endorsement underscores the political pressure the leaders face, needing to win races not just in Democratic strongholds like New York but also in swing states or places that lean toward Republicans, such as Senate contests next year in North Carolina and Ohio.

Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel. He called its military campaign in Gaza a “genocide” and said Palestine should exist as “a state with equal rights." He also has called for tax increases on the wealthy to make life more affordable for everyday New Yorkers through initiatives like free buses.

The split also has deepened within the New York delegation itself. After Hochul's endorsement, Rep. Tom Suozzi on Monday said he would not be endorsing Mamdani because he does not agree “with his proposed solutions.” In contrast, swing-district Rep. Pat Ryan endorsed Mamdani on Tuesday: “I know whose side I’m on. I’m with the people. I’m with Zohran.”

For many progressives, the Democratic establishment's Mamdani snub has echoes of Sen. Bernie Sanders' political rise. The independent Vermont senator struggled for decades to earn the support and respect of Democratic leaders, even as his popularity exploded and he emerged as a leading presidential candidate.