Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley has scored a crucial endorsement from Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, a prominent member of Congress.

“Who’s going to lead on June 22? The people,” Maya Wiley told her supporters Sunday after announcing the coveted endorsement.

Wiley acknowledged it was hard-fought.

“Let me tell you something about Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He made me work for this, y’all,” she said, surrounded by members of 1199 SEIU, which also has endorsed her.


What You Need To Know

  • Wiley and Jeffries cite common commitment to civil rights and social justice

  • Jeffries, a member of House leadership, was a much sought-after endorsement

  • Also on the trail, Kathryn Garcia cites momentum after Daily News endorsement

Jeffries, who serves as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, joins Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Yvette Clarke in supporting Wiley in the race for mayor.

He lauded her at Restoration Plaza in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

“It’s time that we elect a civil rights champion to bring to City Hall liberty and justice for all,” he said. “And it’s time that we elect a dynamic, trailblazing change-maker extraordinaire to send her to City Hall to move this great city forward.”

Wiley and Jeffries cited a common commitment to civil rights and social justice.

She now leads the Democratic candidate for mayor in congressional support.

Second up is Andrew Yang, who has the backing of Grace Meng and Ritchie Torres.

Scott Stringer once had the support of three House members, but now has just Jerry Nadler in his corner.

Adriano Espaillat and Jaamal Bowman rescinded their endorsements after a campaign volunteer alleged Stringer sexually harassed her 20 years ago.

Stringer has denied the accusation.

Wiley, a former MSNBC analyst who like Stringer is running as a progressive, acknowledged she is courting Espaillat and Bowman.

“I am reaching out to leaders all across this city who have not made a decision who they support, so yes,” she said.

Also Sunday, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia campaigned on the Upper West Side after an endorsement from the Daily News editorial board, on the heels of a New York Times nod. 

“We are seeing more people being converted,” she told NY1. “We saw it, as we were doing outreach and texting and calling voters, and also a fundraising bump. So all good things at the right time.”