Washington, D.C. — Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., delivered a sharp rebuke Thursday of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, calling him a “job-killing socialist” who has no place in the Democratic Party.
Speaking with CNBC’s Joe Kernen, Gottheimer expressed frustration over what he sees as the Democratic Party’s growing tolerance for far-left candidates like Mamdani.
“You will hear no ambiguity out of my mouth,” Gottheimer said. “We do not need a job-killing socialist who wants to raise taxes and supports antisemitic rhetoric — especially in a city with the highest taxes in the country and the largest Jewish population.”
Controversy Over ‘Globalize the Intifada’
Mamdani, who recently won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, has faced backlash for refusing to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan critics say promotes violence. He has also been criticized for past calls to “dismantle” the police, though he has since attempted to walk back that language.
Despite those moves, the backlash hasn’t eased. Gottheimer made clear he sees Mamdani’s views as incompatible with Democratic values.
“Democratic socialists are not Democrats. They’re not in the Democratic Party,” he said, adding that the party should be focused on “common sense” solutions, not ideological extremes.
Call for Moderation Within the Party
Gottheimer, a moderate Democrat, argued that the party needs to stop drifting leftward and instead focus on practical governance.
“Democrats, we’re here to solve problems — to make life more affordable, to lower taxes, and to help families with things like rent and mortgages,” he said. “We don’t need more radicals who make promises they can’t keep.”
Referencing independent Senator Bernie Sanders, Gottheimer added: “Bernie’s not even a Democrat. So why would we model our policies after his?”
Mamdani’s Response and Growing National Spotlight
Following mounting criticism, Mamdani said this week he would discourage use of the “intifada” slogan — a shift from his earlier refusals to condemn the phrase. Still, his opponents argue the damage has already been done.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, gained national attention after winning his party’s mayoral primary, sparking a broader debate over the direction of the Democratic Party heading into the 2026 midterms.
