Former Clinton Voter Divided on NYC Mayoral Candidate

Mark Penn, a former supporter of Hillary Clinton, expressed a desire to distance himself from Democrat Zoran Mamdani, the New York City mayoral candidate, during a discussion on Fox News. He indicated he would collaborate with Republicans to oppose Mamdani.

Since securing the Democratic nomination in June and defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s policy proposals have garnered significant media attention. Charlie Hart, the guest host, asked Penn for advice on how Democrats should address concerns regarding Mamdani’s socialist views.

“It’s important to recognize that the primary system has changed, especially given this heated June election,” he noted. “I think Democrats should steer clear of Mamdani. Electing someone with anti-Semitic socialist beliefs as mayor would not only harm the Democratic Party but also the nation as a whole.”

Penn emphasized the need for both parties to unite, warning against allowing significant votes in New York’s eight million-strong city to lead to a socialist transformation.

Mamdani’s policies include raising the minimum wage to $30, implementing a state corporate tax, and introducing a flat tax for high earners, generating $10 billion for free public services. He is also a vocal supporter of undocumented immigration and aims to oppose the Trump administration’s deportation efforts.

Furthermore, he advocates for developing a new division of community safety, suggesting a shift from police responses to 911 calls towards mental health teams and community mediators.

While some Democrats praise Mamdani’s progressive agenda, others criticize his approach, including Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who highlighted his disagreements with Mamdani and questioned his alignment with Democratic principles.