A seismic shift in New York’s political landscape has ignited a fierce battle within the Democratic Party. A rising socialist star’s victory threatens to upend the establishment, leaving conservatives gleeful and moderates scrambling, as questions swirl about the party’s future direction.

Summary

• Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral primary win emboldens Democratic Socialists.
• DSA threatens to primary Hakeem Jeffries and other NYC Democrats.
• Jeffries’ team slams socialists as “Team Gentrification,” vows retaliation.
• GOP sees Mamdani’s rise as a midterm election advantage.
• Infighting exposes deep Democratic Party divisions.

Mamdani’s Victory Shakes Democratic Establishment

The Democratic Party is reeling from Zohran Mamdani’s stunning upset in New York City’s mayoral primary on June 24, 2025, where the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. As reported by the Daily Caller on July 11, 2025, Mamdani’s victory, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has sparked a fierce intra-party feud. The DSA, of which Mamdani is a member, is now threatening to primary House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and other New York City Democrats, a move conservatives view as a gift for the 2026 midterms. “Democrats are eating their own, and we’re here for it,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Fox News, relishing the chaos.

DSA’s Bold Primary Threats

Emboldened by Mamdani’s win, DSA leaders are eyeing primary challenges against Jeffries and Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Yvette Clarke. Ashik Siddique, a national DSA co-chair, called Mamdani’s victory a “proof of concept” for future races, per CNN. Democratic socialist Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized Jeffries as “rapidly growing out of touch with an insurgent and growing progressive base within his own district,” urging him to heed the left’s momentum. Conservatives argue this radical shift alienates mainstream voters. “The DSA’s takeover bid is a disaster for Democrats in swing districts,” said Fox News analyst Sean Hannity, predicting electoral fallout.

Jeffries’ Team Fires Back

Jeffries’ camp is not backing down, dubbing Mamdani’s supporters “Team Gentrification” for their appeal to wealthier, younger progressives. “Leader Hakeem Jeffries is focused on taking back the House from the MAGA extremists who just ripped health care away from millions of Americans,” senior adviser André Richardson told CNN. “However, if Team Gentrification wants a primary fight, our response will be forceful and unrelenting. We will teach them and all of their incumbents a painful lesson on June 23, 2026.” Jeffries dismissed the primary threats, telling CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “I have no idea what these people are talking about,” while focusing on opposing Trump’s agenda. On X, @ConservativeH2O posted, “Cortez, Mamdani, Casar, Sanders, and Tlaib are socialists with the DSA at war with the Democratic Party,” capturing conservative glee at the infighting.

GOP Seizes Political Opportunity
Republicans are capitalizing on Mamdani’s rise, portraying him as the new face of a far-left Democratic Party. His platform—free buses, rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, and steep taxes on the wealthy—has drawn fire from moderates like Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), who called him “too extreme to lead New York City.” House Speaker Johnson told the Daily Caller, “Democrats, who have learned nothing from their historic defeat in 2024, are rallying around a radical, Antisemitic, abolish-ICE, defund-the-police, big-government Marxist,” labeling Mamdani’s views “bad news for New York City” but “great news for House Republicans.” President Trump piled on, calling Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” on Truth Social, amplifying GOP efforts to tie Democrats to socialism.

A Fractured Party Faces 2026

Mamdani’s win, driven by a grassroots campaign and endorsements from figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, highlights deep Democratic divisions. While Jeffries and Gov. Kathy Hochul have praised Mamdani’s affordability focus, they’ve withheld endorsements, wary of his socialist agenda. The DSA’s primary threats signal a broader battle for the party’s soul, with conservatives betting that voters will reject the left’s radicalism. “This is a wake-up call for Americans to back common-sense leadership,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) on “Fox & Friends.” As the 2026 midterms loom, the Democratic infighting could bolster Republican chances to maintain congressional control.