Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist and the Democratic Party's nominee for the New York City mayoral race, has boldly claimed that his campaign has successfully wrestled control of the Democratic Party's soul.
However, his assertion has been met with resistance from established Democrats who are reluctant to relinquish their hold on the party's reins.
Mamdani, 33, made this audacious declaration at a rally attended by 3,000 supporters on Monday evening. According to the Daily Caller News Foundation, when 11 Senate Democrats were questioned about Mamdani's statement, they either distanced themselves from the socialist candidate or refrained from commenting on his position within the party.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a rising figure among Democrats, responded to the query by stating, "I tend to focus on Michigan and not on Manhattan politics." She further added, "I just think New York politics are different from Kansas politics, which are different than Michigan politics." Her retiring colleague, Democratic Senator Gary Peters, echoed her sentiments, stating, "Its [New York City] not the rest of the country."
Following Mamdani's surprising victory over former Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the June primary contest, national Democrats have been hesitant to embrace him. Nevertheless, as the election approaches its final stages and Mamdani's commanding lead in the polls appears unassailable, more Democrats have begun to endorse him.
However, many Democratic lawmakers insist that the implications of Mamdani's rapid ascent should be confined to New York City's five boroughs. They are keen to maintain a safe distance from him. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat with rumored presidential ambitions, stated, "Mamdani represents the New York Democratic Party and their establishment, and theres nothing wrong with that, but it doesnt mean that his brand would carry somewhere else."
New York's two senators, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the leader of Senate Democrats campaign arm, have notably remained neutral in the mayoral race. Some national Democrats seem uncomfortable with some of Mamdani's far-left views and are apprehensive about the socialist candidate tarnishing the party's already tarnished brand, which has sunk to its lowest point in decades.
Prominent Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have argued that Mamdani's socialist politics will serve as a useful contrast for the party's efforts to win the midterms next year. Mamdani has previously called for defunding the police, whom he labeled as "racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety" during the peak of the Black Lives Matter protests. His campaign platform includes far-left policies such as freezing rent and eliminating a gifted program in schools that allows high-achieving children to learn beyond their grade level.
Mamdani did not condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," a statement many perceive as a call to violence against Jews and the state of Israel, until after becoming the Democratic nominee for mayor. He has not retracted his pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in Manhattan during his mayoral tenure.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has repeatedly avoided questions about why he is hesitant to endorse Mamdani. In an interview with CNNs Dana Bash, Jeffries evaded a question about whether he thought Mamdani and his movement represent the soul of the party.
Other Democrats responded to Mamdani's remarks politely without expressing their views. Democratic Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, another potential 2028 presidential contender, told the Daily Caller News Foundation, "The Democratic Party has a range of views, just like the Republican Party has a range of views."
Despite the apparent reluctance of many national Democrats to embrace Mamdani's rise, his supporters argue that the socialist candidate is paving the way for Democrats to regain power. Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who endorsed Mamdani ahead of the Democratic mayoral primary, stated,
"The Democratic Party has got to shed the influence of the billionaire class and corporations on it, and has got to speak to the needs of the working class. And certainly, when Mamdani talks about affordability, hes speaking the right language."
A spokesperson for Mamdani did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment. This report includes contributions from Andi Shae Napier and Caden Olson.
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