Zohran Mamdani still hasn’t landed endorsements from the state’s top Democrats, but the mayoral contender is getting warmer treatment from Gov. Kathy Hochul than House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The difference in rhetoric reflects each official’s political calculus, political operatives and analysts said. It also illustrates the tension within the Democratic Party over whether to embrace the 33-year-old progressive who activated new voters in the June primary to defeat candidates backed by the establishment.

Hochul is running for re-election next year, and an alliance with Mamdani could help the Buffalo-born governor with New York City’s progressive base. Jeffries, however, needs to think about candidates for the U.S. House around the nation. He has also feuded with the Democratic

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