Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) issued a stark warning Wednesday about her own party’s rising star, declaring that socialist mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is “too extreme to lead” New York City.
“Socialist Zohran Mamdani is too extreme to lead New York City,” Gillen stated. “His entire campaign has been built on unachievable promises and higher taxes, which is the last thing New York needs.”
Gillen’s rebuke comes just one day after Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist and state assemblyman, clinched the lead in the city’s Democratic mayoral primary, surpassing former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a contest that is now headed into ranked-choice tabulation.
Gillen specifically called out Mamdani’s support for defunding the police and his “deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments,” saying, “He is the absolute wrong choice for New York.”
Mamdani’s campaign has advocated radical policies like:
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City-owned grocery stores, funded by taxpayers and designed to eliminate profit in favor of government-controlled pricing.
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Rent freezes and massive public housing expansion.
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Reallocating NYPD funding toward social programs.
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$65 million in city funds for “gender-affirming” surgeries and drugs — including for minors.
Despite winning praise from the likes of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani has come under heavy fire for his anti-Israel rhetoric and refusal to condemn extremist calls to “globalize the intifada.” He has openly denied Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and once recorded a rap track expressing admiration for Hamas financiers.
See my statement on the New York City mayoral primary election below: pic.twitter.com/cqnKhGY1DB
— Laura Gillen (@LauraAGillen) June 25, 2025
Rep. Gillen’s comments mark a rare intra-party rebuke, as national Democrats remain largely silent about the far-left surge in America’s largest city. Meanwhile, Wall Street leaders like Bill Ackman are pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to back any viable candidate who can defeat Mamdani in the general election.
With 93% of the vote reported, Mamdani leads with 43.5%, followed by Cuomo at 36.4%, and Comptroller Brad Lander at 11.3%. The final outcome hinges on New York City’s ranked-choice system — but Mamdani is already declaring victory.
“In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done,” Mamdani posted. “My friends, it is done.”
Gillen’s response? Not so fast.