President Donald Trump’s praise for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made it harder for Republicans to cast him as a far-left threat in midterm races. GOP campaigns say they will keep focusing on the perceived rise of a broader socialist movement.
The challenge is acute for Bruce Blakeman, the Republican challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul. His campaign released AI-generated videos showing him alongside Mamdani and accusing both of enabling New York City’s destruction. Blakeman said Trump’s meeting with the mayor would not affect his effort to portray Hochul as aligned with the far left.
A recent Siena Research Institute poll found Mamdani’s favorable rating was 60% in New York City and 43% in the suburbs. He remains divisive among suburban voters concerned about public safety and antisemitism.
