NYC Republicans Break Silence On Democrat Success

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) is warning that New York City’s latest Democratic primary results could have national consequences, arguing that several Democratic Socialist-backed candidates are now positioned to win seats in Congress and push the Democratic Party further to the left.

Speaking Saturday on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend,” Malliotakis said the recent primary victories demonstrate how progressive activists are reshaping the Democratic Party, particularly in deep-blue districts where the Democratic nominee is heavily favored in the general election.

Three Democratic Socialist-Backed Candidates Advance

The congresswoman pointed to three candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani who secured Democratic nominations in congressional races.

Among the winners:

• Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated longtime Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District.
• Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller, unseated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District.
• Claire Valdez won the Democratic nomination for the open 7th Congressional District following Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s retirement.

Because each district strongly favors Democrats, Republicans expect all three candidates to enter Congress if they win in November.

Malliotakis Says Democratic Party Has Changed

Malliotakis argued that today’s Democratic Party is dramatically different from the party many Americans supported decades ago.

“This is certainly not the party of your grandfather or your father,” she said. “It’s not the party of John F. Kennedy or Bill Clinton anymore.”

She criticized what she described as growing support within the party for weaker immigration enforcement, criminal justice reforms, and proposals to reduce funding for law enforcement.

The Republican lawmaker also questioned the low turnout in New York City’s Democratic primary elections, saying only a small percentage of eligible voters participated.

Quoting the Greek philosopher Plato, she suggested that political apathy allows more ideological candidates to gain power, urging Americans to stay engaged in the political process.

Raises Concerns About Socialist Policies

Malliotakis warned that the newly nominated candidates represent what she considers an increasingly socialist movement inside the Democratic Party.

She argued that the policies promoted by many progressive candidates would fundamentally change the direction of the country and compared those ideas to governments in Venezuela and communist Cuba.

The congresswoman also criticized a resurfaced 2019 social media post from Avila Chevalier referencing the American flag, calling the comments inappropriate for someone seeking to serve in Congress.

According to Malliotakis, elected officials should demonstrate respect for the nation’s symbols while representing the United States at home and abroad.

National Security Questions

Malliotakis also discussed another Democratic congressional nominee from neighboring New Jersey, pointing to his previous testimony during the 1995 trial involving Omar Abdel-Rahman, commonly known as the “Blind Sheikh.”

She expressed concern that incoming members of Congress receive classified intelligence briefings and access to sensitive national security information.

“Everyone in America should be concerned about that,” she said.

House Control Could Shape Washington’s Future

Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, Malliotakis argued that keeping Republicans in control of the House of Representatives will be critical to preventing what she views as a continued leftward shift in Congress.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, she referenced President Abraham Lincoln’s warning that the nation’s greatest threats could come from internal divisions rather than foreign adversaries.

For many conservatives, the New York primary results are likely to become another major issue in the debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party—and the balance of power in Washington.