Zohran Mamdani Declares Victory Over Democratic Party’s Soul, Others Say Not So Fast [WATCH]

Zohran Mamdani, 33, the Democratic Party’s nominee in the New York City mayoral race, told supporters Monday that his campaign has placed progressives at the center of the party’s direction while national figures signal caution about embracing his message heading into the final weeks before Election Day.

Speaking at an evening rally of approximately 3,000 people, Mamdani said his proudly socialist bid had “won the battle over the soul of the Democratic Party.”

The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) asked 11 Senate Democrats about Mamdani’s remarks; those lawmakers either distanced themselves from the candidate or declined to comment on how his movement fits within the party.

“I tend to focus on Michigan and not on Manhattan politics,” Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin told the DCNF when asked if she agreed that Mamdani’s campaign had won the party’s “soul.”

“I just think New York politics are different from Kansas politics, which are different than Michigan politics,” Slotkin added.

Her colleague from Michigan, Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, said, “It’s [New York City] not the rest of the country.”

National Democrats have been measured in their approach to Mamdani since his upset victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the June primary.

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While additional endorsements have arrived in recent weeks as the election nears and public polling shows Mamdani with a strong lead, several lawmakers suggested the candidate’s impact should be viewed as specific to New York City’s five boroughs.

“I’m one of those persons that said we should bring him into the fold and all this kind of stuff,” Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego told the DCNF.

“Mamdani represents the New York Democratic Party and their establishment, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t mean that his brand would carry somewhere else.” Democratic New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Lújan said, “You talked to my colleagues from New York? I mean I don’t vote for that guy.”

New York’s senators, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, have not endorsed in the mayoral contest.

Some Democrats have expressed unease with elements of Mamdani’s platform and public statements and have cited concerns about national implications for the party’s image.

Top Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have argued that Mamdani’s politics present a contrast they intend to use in next year’s midterm elections.

Mamdani previously called for defunding the police, describing the institution as “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety” during Black Lives Matter protests.

His current platform proposals include a rent freeze and ending a gifted program in schools that allows high-achieving students to advance beyond grade level.

Mamdani also faced questions about the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many view as a call to violence against Jews and the state of Israel.

He did not issue a condemnation until after he became the Democratic nominee for mayor.

He has not withdrawn an earlier statement that he would seek to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters Manhattan during his tenure as mayor.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has repeatedly declined to say why he has not endorsed Mamdani.

🚨WATCH: @AndiNapier asks Jeffries about endorsing Mamdani.

His non-answer👇 pic.twitter.com/Ae0A9aWPaW

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 14, 2025

In an interview Tuesday with CNN’s Dana Bash, Jeffries was asked whether Mamdani and his movement represent the party’s soul.

“Well the Democratic Party, of course, is extremely diverse, and it’s represented by people like Mikie Sherrill—,” Jeffries said, referring to the party’s nominee for governor of New Jersey.

“But there’s only one soul,” Bash replied. Jeffries continued without addressing Mamdani’s place in the party and said he would meet with Mamdani again before early voting begins later in October.

Other Democrats chose not to directly assess Mamdani’s claim.

“The Democratic Party has a range of views, just like the Republican Party has a range of views,” Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly told the DCNF.

Democratic Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester said she had not seen Mamdani’s comments but added that she sees “some positive energy from New York.”

Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said they had not seen the remarks; Warren endorsed Mamdani after his primary win and campaigned for him in August, praising his focus on cost-of-living issues.

Elizabeth Warren says Mamdani’s plan is the “Democratic Message”

So just to be clear, this is the official democratic message:

– Defund the police
– Release all the criminals from prison
– Disarm law abiding citizens
– seize your property
– free child m*tiIation
– ban ICE pic.twitter.com/13YTGI3TWO

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 4, 2025

Supporters of Mamdani contend that his candidacy offers Democrats a route back to governing majorities.

“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,” Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told the DCNF.

“And certainly, when Mamdani talks about affordability, he’s speaking the right language.”

Bernie Sanders attacks Dem leadership for refusing to endorse Mamdani; pledges to go all-out to help him win:

“I’m going to do everything I can to see that Zohran becomes the next mayor of New York!”

Bernie gets very excited when talking about his comrade Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/Sr5615KvPH

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) July 12, 2025

As the campaign enters its final stretch, national Democrats have signaled they will continue to calibrate their responses to Mamdani’s rise, while the nominee’s team points to rally turnout, recent endorsements, and public polling as evidence of consolidation within New York City. Early voting is scheduled to begin later in October.