Far-left and moderate Democrats both advance in New York primaries ahead of midterms

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said three far-left Democrats backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated more moderate rivals in recent primary elections, two of the winners aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America and two of the defeated candidates congressional incumbents.

Lawler, who represents New York's 17th congressional district covering much of New York City's northern suburbs, stated in a Fox News Digital interview that Democrats have gone further and further and further to the left with no end in sight. He added that these radical socialists are taking over the Democratic Party, not just for Congress, but the state legislature, and that Zohran Mamdani would become the face of the Democratic Party and its leader.

Lawler noted that his district is impacted by what happens in New York City, with many constituents working there as cops, firefighters, nurses, and teachers. His Democratic challenger in the midterms, Cait Conley, is not backed by the DSA, Justice Democrats, or Working Families Party, though Lawler said she agrees with them from a policy standpoint.

Conley, a West Point graduate and military combat veteran awarded three Bronze Stars during six deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, stated that voters are sick of political insiders who care more about their next reelection than solving actual problems.

The race in NY-17 is among two to three dozen across the country that will determine if the GOP holds its razor-thin House majority. Similar contests are underway in NY-3 and NY-4 on Long Island. Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen flipped NY-4 two years ago, while Republican nominee Mike LePetri faces Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi in NY-3.

Gillen and Suozzi are among moderate House Democrats who launched the Promise to America pledge earlier this year that rejects socialism, supports secure borders, and promotes fiscal responsibility. Suozzi said in a recent Fox and Friends interview that Democrats are for capitalism, not socialism, and for safety, not lawlessness.