‘Absolute panic and fear’: Democrats torn over backing ‘toxic’ Zohran Mamdani or risking primary challenges

Most Democratic leaders have yet to endorse Mamdani, nearly a week after the socialist candidate defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the first round of the ranked-choice primary.

By Matthew Xiao, The Washington Free Beacon

Top Democrats are reportedly in “absolute panic and fear” after Zohran Mamdani’s upset win in the New York City mayoral primary, torn between endorsing a candidate many privately call “toxic” and risking primary challenges from his energized socialist base if they stay silent.

Congressional Democrats are “afraid” that Mamdani’s supporters will recruit challengers against incumbents, a source told the New York Post on Monday.

“It’s not hesitancy, it’s absolute panic and fear—and fear that not only are they saddled with (Gov.) Kathy Hochul’s very bad polling numbers, now they have to deal with the toxic impact of Zohran Mamdani in the outer boroughs and suburbs.”

Most Democratic leaders have yet to endorse Mamdani, nearly a week after the socialist candidate defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the first round of the ranked-choice primary.

While Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) have congratulated Mamdani on his victory and praised his focus on “affordability,” neither of them has officially endorsed the candidate.

Mamdani has long faced scrutiny over his anti-Semitic rhetoric and far-left agenda, which includes government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, and a $30 minimum wage.

Mamdani last month defended the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a popular chant at anti-Israel protests that calls for violence against Jews worldwide.

Jeffries on Sunday said that “globalizing the intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrasing” and that Mamdani “is going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward.”

Hochul on Monday declined to offer her endorsement, saying, “I’m allowed to have all the conversations I want to make a decision.”

Endorsing Mamdani could be toxic for Hochul’s reelection bid next year, a source close to the governor told the Post.

“She can’t endorse him. That’ll be the election. She’ll lose Long Island,” the source said. “She has to be a middle-of-the-line Democrat to win. Not just her, but any national Dems who stand with Mamdani will have to answer for it.”