New York AG Letitia James slams Mamdani over successful series of endorsements

New York's Democratic Attorney General Letitia James railed against the growing influence of New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday night, after a string of candidates he endorsed in congressional and statewide elections won their primaries.

Three Mamdani-backed candidates won House primaries in the New York City area on Tuesday evening, including two who successfully ousted incumbent lawmakers.

James claimed the candidates Mamdani endorsed lacked the qualifications or experience for the jobs they won the primaries for, with one candidate still being a graduate student.

"Some of the candidates that he has supported are individuals who do not understand the politics of New York City, the cultural differences from district to district, who have not been part of the history and the struggle of some of these districts, and are relatively new to the body politic," James told CNN, adding that some other Democratic leaders in the state are "disappointed" in the mayor.

“All of us are a little frustrated with the Democratic Party," she continued. "But you don’t blow it up. That’s what MAGA has done." 

The comment comes as Democrats struggle to unite behind candidates and policies after President Donald Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. 

Mamdani celebrated his successful endorsements after the polls closed, claiming it was proof that his election last year was not a fluke and it means the city could see real change.

“We are showing that last June, a year ago tomorrow, was not an anomaly,” Mamdani said. “It was not the end. It was the beginning.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.