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New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) expressed frustration with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) for endorsing a group of democratic socialists for statewide races following his victory last November.
“Some of the candidates that he has supported are individuals who do not understand the politics of New York City, the cultural differences from district to district, who have not been part of the history and the struggle of some of these districts, and are relatively new to the body politic,” James told CNN.
The New York Attorney General said some of the Mamdani-backed candidates don’t understand the issues of race and class, per the outlet.
Mamdani’s influence in New York elections was present in state and congressional primaries, with Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier winning House races against incumbents, in addition to two state Senate and four Assembly race victories.
James said other political colleagues have expressed that they are “disappointed” in Mamdani’s push to change the party.
“All of us are a little frustrated with the Democratic Party. But you don’t blow it up. That’s what MAGA has done,” James told CNN.
Some fear that Mamdani’s endorsements may shift relationships with Democratic lawmakers in Congress, local investors and other key leaders in New York.
However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) brushed aside concerns tied to the democratic socialist mayor on Wednesday.
“No, Donald Trump has a working relationship with the mayor of the city of New York, and he’s made that publicly and explicitly clear to America not once but twice in the Oval Office,” Jeffries said to reporters when asked if the party was moving too far left after Tuesday’s primary results.
President Trump and Mamdani met at the White House in February and November, to the surprise of socialist critics. They were photographed shaking hands and smiling.
Despite the cordial interaction, the president posted about the primaries on Truth Social on Wednesday. “America the Beautiful will NEVER be a Communist Country!!!” he said.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags democratic socialists Donald Trump Hakeem Jeffries Letitia James New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani New York state races NY AG Letitia James President Trump Zohran MamdaniCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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