The official House Republican campaign arm trolled Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with a mocking sympathy gift Wednesday after socialist radicals won three New York congressional primary races, knocking out two incumbents that he endorsed.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) left condolence flowers and a card that read, “With heartfelt sympathy,” outside Jeffries’ (D-NY) Capitol Hill office “to commemorate” the losses suffered by Reps. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to a slate of far-left candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Three losses in one night is tough,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement. “We wanted so-called ‘Leader’ Jeffries to know our thoughts are with him, his candidates, and whatever remains of his influence in the Democrat Party.”
The NRCC posted a photo of the white lilies and card the group brought over to Jeffries.
The Brooklyn Democrat deflected when asked about the stunt and accused Republicans of meddling in New York’s District 17 Democratic primary.
“The interesting thing is the NRCC and Republicans spent millions of dollars trying to pick Mike Lawler’s opponent and they failed miserably,” Jeffries said.
Army veteran Cait Conley won the Democratic primary and will face Lawler (R-NY) in a November toss-up race.
Jeffries predicted Conley “is going to take Mike Lawler out in November, and we’re going to take back the House of Representatives.”
Tuesday night’s wins by Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated Espaillat in the 13th District; Brad Lander, who topped Goldman in the 10th District; and Claire Valdez, who beat several Democrats including Reynoso in the 7th District have raised doubts about Jeffries influence and future in leadership.
A Jeffries insider downplayed the high-profile defeats, telling The Post: “This isn’t a case of Jeffries-backed candidates losing. Jeffries is loyal to his members. [Rep. Grace] Meng won, [Rep. Ritchie] Torres won, Goldman lost. Espaillat lost. Not great but not dramatic and will not change the outcome in November when Democrats take the House.”
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