New Jersey rep: Mamdani 'should be in the Socialist Party, not in the Democratic Party'

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said Monday that New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani “should be in the Socialist Party, not in the Democratic Party.”

“Listen, I — I think he's a very impressive candidate and — right? And I'm not taking that away from him, but — my problem is that he's a socialist, and he should be in the Socialist Party, not in the Democratic Party,” the New Jersey Democrat told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on “CNN News Central.”

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, shocked political observers in June with a win over political heavyweight and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic primary for mayor. Cuomo is now running as an independent against Mamdani.

Earlier this month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) formally endorsed Mamdani. She unveiled her endorsement via a New York Times op-ed, emphasizing the importance of working alongside the city’s mayor.

“In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him," Hochul said of Mamdani. "We’ve had our disagreements. But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family."

Two other prominent New York Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have yet to endorse Mamdani, stirring up some frustration from progressives.

The Hill has reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment.