Thousands of Jewish Voters Register as Dems to Vote in NYC Mayoral Primary: ‘Sleeping Giant’

Nearly 7,000 Jewish voters in New York City have newly registered as Democrats since the beginning of the year, marking a significant political shift ahead of June’s pivotal mayoral primary. According to data released by the Jewish Voters Action Network (JVAN), a total of 6,695 Jewish voters joined the Democratic ranks, including 4,131 who switched from Republican, independent, or other party affiliations, and 2,564 who registered for the first time. “This registration drive is a big deal. Jewish voters are a sleeping giant in New York politics,” said JVAN founder Maury Litwack. “And they are awake. Jews are showing up to play. We’re not ignoring this election. We are punching above our weight.”

A Diverse Primary Field

The Democratic primary features a crowded and ideologically diverse field. Candidates include former Governor Andrew Cuomo, City Comptroller Brad Lander, ex-Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, former Assemblyman Michael Blake, financier Whitney Tilson, and Zohran Mamdani—a Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member viewed with skepticism by many Jewish voters due to his positions on Israel. With Mayor Eric Adams opting to run as an independent, the Democratic primary winner will likely have a strong advantage in the general election. This dynamic has heightened interest and mobilization among traditionally moderate Jewish voters who are concerned about far-left candidates gaining ground.

Mobilization Fueled by Concerns Over Extremism

JVAN, a non-partisan organization, has committed $7 million to boosting Jewish voter participation this election cycle. While not endorsing any specific candidates, JVAN’s efforts reflect growing concerns in the Jewish community about both far-left and far-right politics. Litwack, a vocal critic of the DSA, pointed to Mamdani’s candidacy as an example of rising political tensions. “The Jewish community is paying attention — and taking action,” he said. He also cited last year’s voter mobilization in Westchester County that contributed to the defeat of Squad member Jamaal Bowman in favor of pro-Israel Democrat George Latimer as evidence of a new, more engaged voting bloc. “Jewish voters have been moderate for some time,” Litwack noted. “They are concerned about the extreme left and the extreme right. The Bowman-Latimer race was a wake-up call.”

Potential to Sway the Primary

Although New York City boasts around 3.77 million registered Democrats, turnout in recent primaries has been low—under 25% in the last mayoral contest. JVAN sees this as a unique opportunity. With a concentrated and energized base, Jewish voters could have a disproportionately large impact in key City Council districts where the organization has focused its outreach and registration drives. As the June primary approaches, all eyes will be on how this newly activated segment of the electorate shapes the race—potentially altering the city’s political trajectory for years to come.