Gottheimer Critiques Zoran Mamdani’s Mayoral Candidacy

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, took aim at Zoran Mamdani, the democratic socialist candidate for mayor of New York City, during his remarks on Thursday. He openly questioned Mamdani’s alignment with the Democratic Party.

Since winning the Democratic primary, Mamdani has faced significant backlash from both Republicans and fellow Democrats due to his previous refusal to distance himself from the phrase “globalization of intifadas.”

In a conversation with CNBC host Joe Kernell, Gottheimer expressed confusion over why some Democrats seemed to bend over backward to defend their candidates. He maintained that, unlike some of his colleagues, he has no qualms about criticizing Mamdani’s stance.

Gottheimer stated definitively, “You won’t find any ambiguity coming from me.” He emphasized the importance of not supporting socialists who want to increase taxes and promote what he referred to as anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Kernell pointed out that, given the current dynamics within the Democratic Party, there should be a clear stance against further leftward shifts. Gottheimer agreed, saying, “We need common sense.” He insisted that Democrats should focus on solving problems, making life more affordable, and tackling the issue of high taxes responsibly.

He was emphatic: “Democratic socialists are not Democrats. They do not belong in our party.”

Gottheimer also mentioned that figures like Bernie Sanders identify as independent, questioning their status within the party. He stressed the need for rationality and a rejection of any toleration for socialism, tax increases, or anti-Semitism.

This week, Mamdani responded by stating he would discourage advocating for “intifada” sentiments. Fox News Digital reached out to his campaign for comments but had not received a response at the time of reporting.