In a pointed critique of New York City’s controversial Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) became the latest Democrat to distance himself from Zohran Mamdani.
Gottheimer argued Thursday that Mamdani does not represent the values of the Democratic Party.
The backlash against Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary despite his far-left positions and inflammatory past statements, continues to grow.
Gottheimer is joining the chorus of critics from both Republicans and Democrats who are deeply concerned by his rhetoric and radical policy proposals.
Speaking to CNBC host Joe Kernen, Gottheimer expressed his disbelief at how some Democrats are defending Mamdani.
“I don’t understand how Democrats are twisting themselves into pretzels to defend the nominee,” he said, calling out the dangerous direction the party might take by embracing figures like Mamdani.
While some of his colleagues may be hesitant to speak out, Gottheimer was unequivocal in his condemnation of Mamdani.
“You will hear no ambiguity out of my mouth,” he said, firmly declaring that Mamdani, who has a history of controversial statements, does not belong in the Democratic Party.
“We do not need a job-killing socialist who wants to raise taxes and supports antisemitic rhetoric,” Gottheimer added, pointing out that Mamdani’s platform is out of step with the values of the party and the city of New York.
Gottheimer’s comments come as Mamdani has repeatedly refused to disavow the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which critics argue is a call for violence and has been widely condemned as antisemitic.
Despite Mamdani’s recent statement that he would discourage the use of the expression, his failure to condemn it outright in the past has sparked outrage, particularly within the Jewish community.
New York City, which has the largest Jewish population in the United States, is rightly concerned by the implications of such rhetoric.
Gottheimer took the opportunity to contrast his more moderate approach to the current state of the Democratic Party.
When Kernen asked why the party is leaning further left, Gottheimer was blunt:
“We need common sense.
“Democrats, we’re willing to solve problems, make life more affordable for people, take on higher taxes, and actually make sure that places run.
“Whether it’s rent or mortgages, we make, we do everything we can to make life more affordable for people.”
In his sharpest rebuke, Gottheimer laid out the party line:
“Democratic socialists are not Democrats.
“They’re not in the Democratic Party.”
He pointed to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, as an example of a figure who is not truly a part of the Democratic establishment.
“Bernie Sanders is an independent. He’s not even a Democrat,” Gottheimer noted, emphasizing that the Democratic Party should not be following the radical, far-left approach that Mamdani represents.
For Gottheimer and many other Democrats, the rise of figures like Mamdani signals a troubling turn for the party.
With rising concerns about Mamdani’s record and rhetoric, there is increasing fear that his nomination as New York City’s mayoral candidate could embolden other left-wing radicals and push the party further away from the center.
Gottheimer’s outspoken stance against Mamdani comes as part of a broader effort to preserve the party’s more moderate, pragmatic approach.
For Gottheimer, Mamdani’s extremist positions, including his past refusal to disavow violent rhetoric, represent a toxic influence that has no place in a party that once prided itself on common-sense solutions for the American people.
Mamdani, for his part, responded to the criticism this week by stating that he would begin discouraging the use of the “intifada” expression, which he had previously refused to condemn.
However, his half-hearted attempt to distance himself from the inflammatory rhetoric has done little to quell the growing concerns from both sides of the political spectrum.
Gottheimer’s strong condemnation of Mamdani underscores the divide within the Democratic Party between moderates and radicals.
While figures like Mamdani push for more extreme policies and divisive rhetoric, Gottheimer is fighting to keep the party grounded in common sense and decency.
As New York City’s mayoral race heats up, it is clear that Democrats who wish to preserve the future of their party must speak out against the dangerous rise of socialism and extremism.
For the good of the city and the country, Democrats must reject figures like Zohran Mamdani who threaten to destroy America.
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