John Fetterman warns that likely new 'Democratic socialist' NYC mayor is 'Christmas in July' for the GOP
Unlike some members of his political party, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman isn't looking at Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral primary through rose-colored glasses.
'I'd describe it as Christmas in July for the GOP,' Fetterman said Wednesday.
Mamdani - a state legislator - appears to have beaten out a field of other candidates in the Democrat Mayoral primary Tuesday, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who resigned from office in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations.
The official results of the election won't be confirmed until July 1 due to the city's ranked choice voting system.
One of Mamdani's fellow New York Democrats was also, like Fetterman, unsettled by his victory.
Laura Gillen, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Long Island denounced the win in a statement posted on X.
'Socialist Zohran Mamdani is too extreme to lead New York City. His entire campaign has been built on unachievable promises and higher taxes, which is the last thing New York needs.'
'Beyond that, Mr. Mamdani has called to defund the police and has demonstrated a deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments which stoke hate at a time when antisemitism is skyrocketing. He is the absolute wrong choice for New York,' Gillen added.
Zohran Mamdani's socialist, defund the police platform is wrong for New York City.
I joined @EVargasTV tonight to discuss how Mr. Mamdani lacks a realistic fiscal plan or the legal ability to deliver on his many campaign promises. Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/tpUynahk99
— Laura Gillen (@LauraAGillen) June 26, 2025
Still, Mamdani was backed by a number of Fetterman and Gillen's Capitol Hill colleagues including Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and far-left Democrat Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.
Both lawmakers congratulated him on the primary victory.
Sanders wrote: 'Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign. You took on the political, economic and media Establishment- and you beat them. Now it's on to victory in the general election.'
Ocasio-Cortez, who beat out an establishment Democrat in her own party primary seven years ago and became a household name almost overnight wrote:
'Congratulations, @ZohranKMamdani. Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city. Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won.'
Mamdani's campaign promoted socialist ideas like rent freezes for rent-stabilized apartments, grocery stores that would be owned by the city, and free public buses.
He has also advocated for defunding the city's police department, defended pro- Palestine slogans like 'globalize the intifada' and said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Former President Bill Clinton was another Democrat who applauded Mamdani's win:
'Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani on your victory in yesterday's primary election and a well-run campaign. I'm wishing you much success in November and beyond as you work to bring New Yorkers together to tackle the city's challenges and shape a stronger, fairer future,' Clinton wrote on X, in a post to which only people he followed could reply.
Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani on your victory in yesterday's primary election and a well-run campaign. I'm wishing you much success in November and beyond as you work to bring New Yorkers together to tackle the city's challenges and shape a stronger, fairer future.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) June 25, 2025
Mamdani has vowed to 'fight back' against president Donald Trump, saying that he is the Republican's 'worst nightmare' because he is a 'progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things I believe in'.
Trump himself responded to Mamdani's apparent victory, calling him a 'communist lunatic' in a post on social media site Truth Social he made Wednesday.
'It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,' Trump wrote.
'We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!'
Trump has repeatedly tagged Schumer, a Jewish longtime supporter of Israel, as a 'Palestinian senator.'
The president's remark that Mamdani is 'on his way' would appear to count out current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent.
The Justice Department called a halt to a criminal prosecution of Adams soon after Trump took office this year and put in new leadership.
Schumer, who declined to endorse in the mayoral primary, was also among the Democrats who commended Mamdani on the victory.
'I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity,' Scumer wrote on X.
He also added that he looked forward to 'getting together soon' with Mamdani.
I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity.
— Chuck Schumer (@chuckschumer) June 25, 2025
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