Mamdani's victory further polarizes Washington politicians, Long Island officials

WASHINGTON — Zohran Mamdani’s decisive win on Tuesday in New York City’s mayoral race prompted a range of reactions from state Democrats and others, including two Long Island members of Congress who are keeping their distance from him.

Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and New York State GOP chair Ed Cox, were quick to declare that Mamdani’s victory solidifies the Democrats’ transformation to a big-government, socialist party. They asserted negative consequences for Democrats in congressional and other elections next year.

But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was quick to scoff at those Republicans, saying, "These people got crushed all over the country — and this is the best they can come up with?"

Jeffries predicted his party will seize the House majority in 2026.

"I think we all have to make sure that he is successful as mayor on the things he has talked about," Jeffries said of Mamdani, whom he endorsed right before the start of early voting last month.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who, like Jeffries, is from Brooklyn, but who never endorsed Mamdani, offered a more wooden nod to the assemblyman-turned-mayor-elect.

"We have worked together on a number of vital issues — like delivering historic debt relief for taxi drivers," Schumer added in a statement. "I look forward to building on that partnership to keep NYC strong, fair, more affordable & thriving."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx/Queens) noted on CNN on Tuesday night that Mamdani defeated both a Republican and the old guard of the Democratic Party.

She said, "I think the message that that sends is that the Democratic Party cannot last much longer by denying the future, by trying to undercut our young, by trying to undercut a next generation of diverse and upcoming Democrats that our actual electorate and voters support."

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who endorsed Mamdani, posted on X that she spoke with the mayor-elect on Tuesday night "and told him I’m looking forward to working together to make our city more affordable and livable."

And New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, who is chairing the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm heading into next year’s elections, said she also called Mamdani on Tuesday night to congratulate him. She said she is "committed to working with the mayor-elect to address the affordability crisis and lower costs, ensure New York is safe for all, and protect our fundamental rights."

On Monday, President Donald Trump endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent against Mamdani. And Trump again mused in a Truth Social posting he would cut federal funding from New York City if Mamdani became mayor.

After Mamdani was declared the winner, Johnson’s House GOP campaign arm took direct shots on Tuesday night at Long Island’s two Democratic House members, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre).

The National Republican Congressional Committee declared that Suozzi and Gillen now find themselves cemented to "a far-left agenda" that will be "electoral poison for them" in the 2026 congressional elections.

In fact, neither Gillen nor Suozzi endorsed Mamdani, and both were vocally opposed to his candidacy. Suozzi, whose district includes a section of Queens, endorsed Cuomo over Mamdani, in the Democratic mayoral primary and again last week.

But Suozzi was cordial after the results came in Tuesday night, posting on X: "Congratulations to Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani on a well-run campaign and victory. Though our views may differ, I offer my support and assistance to help move the city forward."

Gillen, in a separate post on X, said, "I remain extremely concerned with Zohran Mamdani’s policies, especially on taxes and public safety, and will continue to stand up for Long Islanders’ interests."

On the other side of the political aisle, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), posted on Tuesday night: "The party of JFK, Clinton & even Obama is dead. It’s now the party of AOC, Bernie & Mamdani," referring to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), along with the two New Yorkers.