Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley stated on CNN's "State of the Union" that she would not campaign with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. However, Conley did not directly answer whether Democrats should reject the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a group whose influence has become a point of contention in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
When asked by anchor Dana Bash about campaigning with Mamdani or Ocasio-Cortez, Conley responded, "No, Dana, I‘m good up here making the case to the voters in the New York 17th congressional district." Lawler's campaign has criticized Conley for what they describe as her refusal to distance herself from the DSA. Ciro Riccardi, Lawler's campaign manager, told Fox News Digital that Conley's interview demonstrated why the campaign has pressed her on debates and alleged she has failed to separate herself from the group. "Cait Conley’s refusal to disavow Zohran Mamdani and the DSA is disqualifying," Riccardi stated. "She is just as extreme as the rest and that was exposed today for all to see, including embracing impeachment."
Bash also referenced Rep. Tom Suozzi's, D-N.Y., calls for his party to confront the DSA and asked Conley for her position. Conley shifted the focus to political division within both parties, saying, "What we have to focus on is how do we bring people together, and right now, what I see coming out of Washington is corruption on both sides, extremism on both sides that is fueling hate, fueling dysfunction."
Suozzi has taken a more direct stance, previously telling Fox News Digital that Democrats must address the DSA's influence and reject its policy positions. The DSA's national platform includes calls to abolish ICE, end detention and deportations, redirect police funding with the aim of abolishing police and prisons, implement universal rent control and government-funded healthcare.
Lawler's campaign had previously questioned Conley's ties to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party after Ocasio-Cortez congratulated Conley on her primary victory in June. At that time, Riccardi challenged Conley to state whether she rejected Ocasio-Cortez and other candidates associated with the party's left flank.
Conley, an Army veteran and former National Security Council member under President Joe Biden, won a crowded Democratic primary in June. She is challenging two-term incumbent Lawler in the Hudson Valley contest, which could impact control of the House.