By Jews For Racial & Economic Justice
Photos: Facebook
New York, NY — Jews for Racial & Economic Justice Action (JFREJ), which issues endorsements under the name The Jewish Vote, entered the NYC mayoral race today, backing current NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani in an unranked joint endorsement.
“We couldn’t be prouder to throw the weight of our 6,000 members behind Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani,” said Audrey Sasson, JFREJ’s Executive Director. “Both candidates are leading the fight to make New York the more affordable, more welcoming, and safer city for everyone who lives here. Now more than ever, we need courageous, reliable leaders who will defend New Yorkers, stand up to Donald Trump and his authoritarian agenda, and invest in making NYC a true sanctuary city that takes care of people at every age and stage of life.”
“At a time when both Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo are weaponizing antisemitism and seeking to divide us, I’m proud to have the support of JFREJ,” said Comptroller Lander, who is a longtime member of the group. “JFREJ’s endorsement adds to the broad, diverse coalition of New Yorkers we’re building who are ready to end the Adams-Cuomo corruption and hungry for a safer, more affordable, and better run city.”
“For more than three decades, Jews For Racial & Economic Justice has been on the frontlines of the fight for a city that works for working people,” said Assembly Member Mamdani. “In this moment of far-right authoritarianism, political corruption and a crushing cost of living crisis, it is a profound honor to have the support of JFREJ and the Jewish Vote as we build this campaign for every New Yorker who believes in the dignity of their neighbors.”
“Brad Lander takes the responsibility of governing seriously,” said JFREJ member Jenna Rosen. “He truly wants to know what New Yorkers think and need, because he’s fighting to make this city a home for all of us. At a time when so many people are speaking for Jews instead of listening to the many diverse voices that make up our community, it has felt very meaningful to have Brad Lander as the highest-ranking Jewish official in NYC, because he stays focused on the things that actually matter most to Jewish voters: healthcare, housing, safety, and affordability. The prospect of our next mayor being a genuinely progressive Jew is extremely exciting.”
“I appreciate that Assembly Member Mamdani is an unabashed progressive. As a City College student who had my education disrupted by the NYPD’s occupation of my campus, it was very meaningful that he publicly said he wouldn’t have sent the NYPD to Columbia and CUNY,” said JFREJ member Bridget Fox. “His pledge to only critique Adams and Cuomo and his clear commitment to make sure his supporters know to rank other progressives made a real impact on me. That demonstrated both integrity and a strategic commitment to electing progressive mayor that wasn’t self interested. New York deserves leaders who care about all New York residents, not just the wealthy and powerful.”
The Jewish Vote first endorsed Mamdani for Assembly in 2020, and backed Lander for Comptroller in 2021. This is the group’s second endorsement announcement this election cycle, after endorsing Council Member Shahana Hanif for reelection in February.
Jews For Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) is a 6,000-member grassroots organization and the home of New York’s Jewish Left. For over 30 years, JFREJ members have organized alongside our neighbors to transform New York from a playground for the wealthy few into a real democracy, free from all forms of racist violence.
