During two separate stints as state Democratic chair — the first under ex-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and now under Gov. Kathy Hochul — Jay Jacobs has simultaneously been the Nassau County chair. In that dual role, Jacobs made big news last week by loudly dissenting from Hochul, who as governor is New York’s real party boss. Jacobs firmly refused to echo Hochul's endorsement of Assemb. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

The reflexive response among news media and activists is to view this as part of an intramural falling out between “moderates” and “radical progressives.” Symbolically, it may well reflect that crevice within the state party. But strategically, it looks more like the party leaders are seeking to cover both flanks for current and future elections.

For

See Full Page