In a notable shift in New York politics, former Congressman Mondaire Jones is making a strategic pivot as he re-enters the political fray for New York's 17th congressional district.
Mondaire Jones, initially lauded as a progressive voice, is changing his approach and distancing himself from past allies to enhance his appeal in a district that has been politically reshaped.
According to City & State NY, Jones’s political landscape transformed drastically in May 2022 when Sean Patrick Maloney, then-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, declared his intention to run in the newly redrawn NY-17. This decision was made just after new congressional maps were released, prompting Jones to reconsider his candidacy.
Mondaire Jones expressed his frustration with Maloney's sudden announcement: "Sean Patrick Maloney did not even give me a heads up before he went on Twitter to make that announcement. And I think that tells you everything you need to know about Sean Patrick Maloney.”
Strategically, following Maloney's entry into NY-17, Jones mulled over challenging Jamaal Bowman in NY-16. However, he was dissuaded from this route by internal polling indicating Bowman's strong standing.
A former Jones staffer mentioned, “He was intent on running in 16, so we decided to poll in 16 to find just how disastrous a decision that would be. The poll came back – obviously, it was a sufficiently high hurdle to clear that Mondaire did not feel he could do it in the 90 days we had.”
In light of these challenges, Jones shifted to run in NY-10. His campaign in this district, however, did not end successfully, as his hopes were dashed by a divided progressive vote and a lack of key endorsements, such as from the Working Families Party. These setbacks have prompted a significant strategy shift as he seeks to retake NY-17.
Jones's political repositioning includes a more centrist approach aiming to attract suburban voters. He recently endorsed George Latimer, who is moving away from Jamaal Bowman and other progressive figures.
This shift has not gone unnoticed and has sparked criticism from former allies and opponents. Mike Lawler, the Republican victor in NY-17, criticized: “Even the squad is angry at @MondaireJones for his duplicity.”
Sean Patrick Maloney's loss to Lawler was a significant event in the district. After his defeat, Maloney took up a role as the U.S. ambassador to the OECD, leaving a vacancy that Jones now seeks to fill by re-engaging with a broader voter base.
Mondaire Jones’s criticism of Bowman and departure from earlier progressive alignments highlight the complex dynamics of evolving Democratic strategies in New York.
His tweet following Maloney’s defeat simply read, “Yikes.” signaling his perspective on the political turnover. This change and his current pragmatic approach mark a notable shift in his career trajectory and platform.
Jones' strategic change is a telling move in the turbulent waters of New York politics. His decision reflects wider trends influencing many Democrats rethinking their alignment and strategies in response to shifting electorates and political landscapes. As Jones continues his campaign, his ability to adapt and resonate with a broader electorate will be the ultimate test of this new phase in his political career.
