Political tensions escalated as House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsement of Zohran Mamdani signals the end of the Democratic Party.

After weeks of declining to weigh in on the New York City mayor's race, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was backing Zohran Mamdani.

The New York City mayoral race is commanding national attention, with major policy, demographic and ideological shifts at stake.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Jeffries' counterpart in Congress and a fellow New York Democrat, has so far declined to endorse anyone in the mayoral race.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Friday, a long-awaited backing from the national Democratic leader as early voting in the mayoral election begins on Saturday.

Mr. Jeffries, the House minority leader, had resisted backing Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, for months. But his support provides a late boost.

The late endorsement by the powerful Brooklyn congressman marks a significant shift of mainstream Democrats corralling around Mamdani.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday endorsed Zohran Mamdani to serve as the next mayor of New York City

In his response during an interview appearance on ABC News' This Week on Sunday, Jeffries gave no indication of an imminent endorsement or timeline for when he might give his endorsement, but indicated he is thus far satisfied with Mamdani's messaging.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, ending an extended holdout that was being closely watched.