Gov. Kathy Hochul is backing the state Democratic Party boss’ reelection despite his refusal to endorse Zohran Mamdani during his 2025 mayoral campaign — a move that riled the socialist’s supporters.
Hochul said she would stand by Chairman Jay Jacobs and predicted he’ll easily fend off a challenge from upstate Otsego County Democratic leader Caitlin Ogden.
“It is time for Jay Jacobs to show that he is going to continue being the leader,” Hochul told City and State New York after a campaign rally in Albany on Saturday. “As I’m the head of the state party, he is my chairman. He’ll be reelected, no problem.”
Jacobs caused a stir when he declined to follow Hochul and back Democratic socialist Mamdani after Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for Big Apple mayor.
He stayed neutral as Cuomo ran on an independent ballot line in the general election.
“Mr. Mamdani and I are in agreement that America’s greatest problem is the continued growth in income disparity in our nation,” Jacobs said at the time. “On how to address it – we fundamentally disagree.
“Furthermore, as I expressed to him directly, I strongly disagree with his views on the State of Israel, along with certain key policy position.”
Jacobs told The Post last fall he intended to run for another two-year term.
Jacobs, who is also chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Party, is considered a moderate voice speaking for Dems in suburban and upstate battleground districts. He has served as the state chairman in two stints over 10 years under former Gov. David Paterson, Cuomo and now Hochul.
The 480 state Democratic committee members will vote on Oct. 1 on whether Jacobs gets another term. Some insiders want to give him the boot over the Mamdani snub.
“Jacobs insulted the Democratic nominee in the largest city in the country. We should stand behind our candidates,” said Erica Vladimir, a committee voting member representing the 76th Assembly District on the Upper East Side.
“Jacobs can’t tell us we’re a big tent party if he won’t hold up the tent. Jay Jacobs is not listening to New York Democratic voters.”
Vladimir credited Ogden with helping galvanize Democrats in Otsego, and said her background as a professional fundraiser could generate dough for the party.
Jacobs said he’s ready for the challenge.
“I take nothing for granted,” Jacobs said Sunday.
But he added, “It’s important to have the support of the governor and other elected officials. I look forward to another two-year term.”
Jacobs said he has had numerous conversations with lawmakers and Democratic county leaders, without naming them.
But he acknowledged there could be a “substantial” bloc of party activists who will vote for his opponent, Ogden.
Ogden told The Post she is running to make sure Democrats have a party “responsive to the will of the voters.
“Whether they choose a centrist or a progressive-[Democratic Socialists of America],” Ogden said. “They are Democrats. It’s our duty to support them.
“I will be a servant leader, not a party boss. I lead from the front,” she added. “There is a statewide hunger for a leader with a vision. We are in a new era with new challenges.”
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