News

Pearl River, NY – October 24, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler blasted Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for endorsing self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani, calling on every Democrat running for Congress in New York’s 17th District to tell voters exactly where they stand.

“Hakeem Jeffries just endorsed Zohran Mamdani — a self-described socialist who’s spent his career attacking the NYPD, defending criminals, and demonizing Israel,” said Congressman Lawler. “Every single Democrat running for Congress in New York needs to be put on the record: do you stand with Jeffries, Hochul, and Mamdani, or with the hardworking New Yorkers who want safe streets, affordable communities, and sanity back in government? There’s no hiding on this one.”

Lawler specifically called on Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, Effie Phillips-Staley, John Sullivan, John Cappello, and Jessica Reinmann — the Democrats vying to run against him who have remained silent — to publicly declare whether they support Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and whether they would vote to make Hakeem Jeffries Speaker of the House if elected.

“So far, only Peter Chatzky has been honest enough to admit he supports Mamdani,” Lawler added. “The rest are ducking and dodging while their party lurches further left. The press needs to do its job and ask each of them — yes or no — whether they endorse Zohran Mamdani for mayor and whether they would vote for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. The people of the Hudson Valley deserve a straight answer.”

“Voters are tired of politicians who talk moderation but bow to the radicals in their party when it counts. New Yorkers want leaders who back the police, stand with Israel, and fight for safe, affordable communities — not those who enable chaos and socialism,” concluded Lawler. 

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