In a political dance as delicate as a tightrope walk, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee, has once again sidestepped endorsing Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist running for mayor of New York City, according to Fox News.
At a forum hosted by PIX11 News, Sherrill made it clear she’s keeping her focus on Garden State concerns while leaving New York’s contentious mayoral race to its own voters, a move that highlights the broader tension surrounding Mamdani’s progressive platform and the political risks some Democrats perceive in associating with him.
Let’s rewind to June, when Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist, clinched the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, besting heavyweights like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and a crowded field of nine other contenders.
His victory was fueled by a grassroots campaign zeroing in on affordability and the city’s skyrocketing cost of living, amplified by social media savvy on platforms like TikTok to rally less-engaged voters.
Endorsements from progressive icons like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders didn’t hurt either.
Mamdani’s policy wishlist reads like a progressive dream: free bus fares, tuition-free CUNY, rent freezes on municipal housing, free childcare for kids up to age 5, and even government-run grocery stores.
But this far-left agenda, coupled with his sharp criticism of Israel and past jabs at the NYPD, has made him a lightning rod—some Democrats see him as electoral kryptonite, while Republicans and President Donald Trump are gleefully trying to tie him to any vulnerable Democrat in sight.
If elected, Mamdani would make history as the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation’s most populous city, and recent polls show him with double-digit leads over independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Yet, not all Democrats are on board—while the Democratic National Committee and figures like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have thrown their support behind him, heavy hitters like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are keeping their distance. It’s a split that speaks volumes about the party’s internal tug-of-war.
Fast forward to Sept. 28, when Mamdani rallied volunteers at a canvass launch in Brooklyn, pushing his message of systemic change.
His proposal to shift some NYPD duties to social services and community programs has drawn particular ire from critics who argue it undermines public safety. For conservatives, this is yet another example of a progressive agenda prioritizing ideology over practicality.
Enter Mikie Sherrill, who faced off against Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli in their first general election debate on Sept. 21 in Lawrenceville, N.J., and later reiterated her hands-off stance on Mamdani at the PIX11 forum.
"I am not getting engaged in that race, because I’m completely focused on New Jersey," Sherrill declared. Well, fair enough, but in politics, silence can scream louder than words, and her dodge feels like a calculated play to avoid the baggage of Mamdani’s controversial stances.
Ciattarelli, not one to miss a chance to jab, accused Sherrill of flip-flopping, pointing to a past comment she made this summer suggesting she might back Mamdani if he’s the Democratic pick.
He aired this grievance on social media and again during a forum at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Oct. 1 in Madison, N.J. It’s a classic Republican tactic—paint your opponent as inconsistent, especially when the stakes are high.
Meanwhile, Sherrill has her own state’s headaches to deal with, especially with the Trump administration’s recent announcement halting federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel project, a critical rail link between New Jersey and New York City, amid a government shutdown.
This move has New Jerseyans up in arms, and Sherrill is wisely zeroing in on local gripes like this rather than wading into New York’s mess. Smart politics? You bet.
The Gateway Tunnel funding freeze is a gut punch for a state already wrestling with infrastructure woes, and it’s no surprise Sherrill is laser-focused on affordability and connectivity issues.
It’s a reminder that while Mamdani’s race grabs headlines, New Jersey voters are more likely to care about their daily commute than who’s running the Big Apple.
Back to Mamdani, his lead in the polls suggests he’s got a real shot at reshaping New York City’s future, for better or worse, depending on where you stand.
Conservatives might wince at his plans to overhaul policing and expand government programs, seeing them as a recipe for inefficiency and overreach. Still, credit where it’s due—his ability to mobilize young voters is a force to reckon with.
Sherrill’s refusal to weigh in might frustrate some Democrats who want party unity, but it’s hard to blame her for playing it safe. In a political climate where every word can be weaponized, steering clear of Mamdani’s polarizing campaign could be the shrewdest move for her own race. After all, New Jersey isn’t New York, and her voters likely appreciate the boundary.
Republicans, of course, are having a field day with Mamdani’s candidacy, using him as a bogeyman to spook moderate Democrats and independents.
Trump and his allies are working overtime to link him to any Democrat within a hundred-mile radius, a strategy that could spell trouble for candidates like Sherrill if she’s not careful. It’s a cynical but effective playbook in today’s hyper-partisan arena.