The campaign arm of House Republicans is launching a battleground ad blitz tying Democrats to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has faced scrutiny from the right over his democratic socialist affiliation.
In a press release, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said that it put out “a paid advertising campaign across 49 battleground districts” in the wake of Mamdani’s victory ensuring “the Democrat Party’s full embrace of socialism.”
“A radical left earthquake just hit America. The epicenter? New York. The new socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani built his movement on defunding the police and abolishing ICE. Now the socialists are celebrating,” a voiceover in an ad from the NRCC states.
“They call it progress. We call it chaos. Bureaucrats instead of doctors, social workers instead of cops, this is the future House Democrats want, and your city could be next. Stop socialism. Stop Democrats,” the voiceover continues.
The video features clips of Mamdani and what appears to be city streets, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
The ad, according to the NRCC, is set to go out to Republican and Democratic districts including those in Washington, California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Mamdani’s victory is notable. The democratic socialist who was unknown on the national stage until a few months ago defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo twice in two different races. His New York City campaign has been referenced as a possible blueprint for Democrats to look at in future elections.
“For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well connected that power does not belong in their hands. … Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands, my friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani said in a victory speech.
The Hill has reached out to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Sanders’s office, Ocasio-Cortez’s office and Mamdani’s campaign for comment.
