Right on, Jay!
New York Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs explained on Friday his controversial decision to buck Gov. Kathy Hochul and refuse to endorse the party’s lefty mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.
The powerful state party leader told The Post he wanted to send the message that leftists such as Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez don’t speak for the entire Democratic Party.
“We’re a big tent party. We’re not the Republican Party,” he said in an interview.
“The Democratic brand has taken a hit the past few years,” Jacobs added, alluding to the perception that it has swung too far to the left nationally.
His shocking statement Thursday refusing to back the socialist Queens assemblyman’s mayoral candidacy sent shockwaves across the Dems, widening the rift between moderate and left-wing members of the party.
But for all the public outrage, Jacobs — who also serves as the Dems’ chair in Nassau County — said he has been deluged with kudos since.
“I’m getting a very positive response from moderate Democrats,” he told The Post, while declining to name names. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive.”
The flood of supportive texts, emails and calls came as progressives demanded the party chair resign for standing against Mamdani, who received a historic number of votes in the Democratic primary.
Hochul had blindsided Jacobs this week by endorsing Mamdani – a move that sources said infuriated the party boss and led him to consider stepping down.
Jacobs said he ran his non-endorsement past Hochul, but declined to discuss his personal conversations with the governor. He did seem to indicate, however, that she didn’t object.
“I am not reckless and I am not disrespectful,” he said.
Likewise, Jacobs said he also tried to connect with Mamdani, but his call went to voicemail.
Jacobs insisted he’s not resigning, at least for now.
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