Speaker Johnson: Mamdani has taken over the Democratic Party

Nearly a month into the federal government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson is shaming the Democratic Party for the ascendance of a socialist faction represented by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Johnson, R-La., accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of voting against a stopgap funding extension due to “fear and political desperation” in the wake of the intraparty backlash he received for voting to fund the government back in March.

“The new power center of the Democrat Party is one that should frighten every common sense American,” said Johnson. “Exhibit A is Zohran Mamdani. New York City, America’s largest city, the cradle of capitalism … they’ve got a 34-year-old, unproven, untested socialist who looks to be the next mayor.”

Johnson’s remarks come a week after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., endorsed the state assemblyman and the rest of the Democrat ticket for the Nov. 4 city elections—a decision he had held off making for months.

“Mamdani is a big issue here in the halls of Congress. Why? Because the second-highest ranked Democrat in the country, leader Jeffries, endorsed him,” said Jeffries. “They’re making Mamdani a mainstream Democrat now. This party has left the people.”

Johnson’s efforts to make Democrats suffer politically for their association with Mamdani is much like the broader Republican strategy going into the midterm House elections.

On Tuesday, the National Republican Congressional Committee released a memo detailing a “Battle Plan to Weaponize Mayor Mamdani in Battleground Districts.”

The memo cites internal polling showing Mamdani has 81% name recognition among surveyed voters in battleground districts—almost equal to Jeffries’ 86%.

Additionally, the memo claims that “capitalism” has +12 net favorability among battleground voters compared to -12 for “socialism.” Mamdani openly aligns himself with socialism.

“The NRCC will ensure every voter knows Zohran Mamdani is synonymous with the Democratic Party nationwide,” the memo concludes.

[Editor’s note: This story originally was published by The Daily Signal.]