New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that democratic socialists can win across the country, using an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl to defend his influence after candidates he endorsed swept New York Democratic primaries and deepened his party’s ideological fight ahead of November.

Defending Democratic Socialism

Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, made the claim on ‘This Week’ after Karl asked whether a democratic socialist could be elected president. The exchange came after Mamdani-backed candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won Democratic congressional primaries in New York, with Lander and Chevalier defeating incumbent Democrats.

Mamdani rejected warnings from moderate Democrats that socialist wins in New York could hurt the party nationally, arguing that Democrats need a message beyond opposition to President Donald Trump. ‘For far too long, all we’ve had to say as a party is opposition to the current administration,’ Mamdani said. ‘What do we have to say beyond that?’

Karl pressed Mamdani on Chevalier, who has faced scrutiny over past statements and posts supporting the abolition of prisons, borders and police. Chevalier’s campaign site lists ‘Abolish ICE’ among her priorities. Mamdani framed democratic socialism as governing pragmatism, pointing to his administration’s record on child care, tenants, potholes and crime.

Policy Positions

Mamdani also discussed his position on Israel, saying he supports Israel as ‘a state with equal rights,’ but declined to endorse the Jewish-state framing. ‘I think any state that privileges one religion over the other is one that I can’t tell you I support, whether it be Israel or Saudi Arabia or anywhere else,’ Mamdani said.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.