Following Mamdani’s shocking primary victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched an aggressive advertising campaign to link vulnerable House Democrats to the democratic socialist’s controversial policies. The NRCC is targeting lawmakers representing competitive districts, including Reps. Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, Josh Riley, and Nellie Pou. These ads aim to tie these Democrats to Mamdani’s agenda, which includes eliminating fares for New York City’s bus system, making CUNY tuition-free, freezing rents on municipal housing, offering free childcare up to age 5, and establishing government-run grocery stores.
Republican strategists are leveraging Mamdani’s recent social media posts, such as a 2020 image showing him flipping off a Christopher Columbus statue, and his vocal critiques of capitalism. These images and statements are being used to frame Democrats as aligned with Mamdani’s socialist ideals, which Republicans argue are dangerous and contrary to the values of many Americans. NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole stated that Mamdani’s policies would lead to a ‘pro-criminal, open-borders, anti-law enforcement, and antisemitic agenda’ if implemented.
However, Democrats are questioning the effectiveness of these attacks. They argue that New York City, a heavily blue area where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a six-to-one margin, is vastly different from the battleground states and swing districts across the country. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, a Democrat, noted that while he loves New York, its liberal politics do not necessarily translate to other regions. Additionally, in the high-profile 2026 race for New Hampshire’s Senate seat, Republicans have already begun using Mamdani’s image as a tool in their advertising strategy, editing a photo of Rep. Chris Pappas alongside images of Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite these efforts, Democrats are confident in their ability to counter the GOP attacks. Rep. Chris Pappas, a New Hampshire Democrat, has criticized the Republicans for spending tens of millions on attack ads that aim to misrepresent him. He emphasized that voters know his work and record in Congress, highlighting his bipartisan approach and commitment to solving problems. As the midterms approach, the political climate surrounding Mamdani and his ideological connections to Democrats will likely remain a focal point of the campaign season.