Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania just threw a verbal haymaker at the idea of a socialist mayor taking over New York City.
The Daily Caller reported that with the NYC mayoral election just days away in November 2025, Fetterman has voiced sharp criticism of Democratic Socialist nominee Zohran Mamdani, while polls show Mamdani leading competitors and gaining endorsements from prominent party leaders.
Let’s rewind to earlier this year, when Mamdani clinched the Democratic nomination for mayor back in June 2025. It was a signal of the party’s leftward tilt, raising eyebrows among more moderate voices.
Fast forward to July 2025, and Fetterman was already sounding the alarm in an interview, making it clear he’s no fan of Mamdani’s political playbook. He didn’t mince words then, and he’s not backing down now.
By September 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul threw her weight behind Mamdani with a glowing op-ed in The New York Times. That endorsement raised the stakes, showing just how divided Democrats are on this race.
Then in October 2025, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the Mamdani bandwagon, despite dodging the topic earlier. It’s a stark contrast to Fetterman, who stands as one of the few party members pushing back against this progressive wave.
Now, with the election looming, recent polls paint a clear picture: Mamdani is way out front. An Emerson College, PIX11, and The Hill survey shows him with 50% support, a whopping 25 points ahead of Independent Andrew Cuomo at 25%, while Republican Curtis Sliwa trails with 21%. A Marist University poll isn’t much different, pegging Mamdani at 48%, Cuomo at 32%, and Sliwa at 16%.
If elected, Mamdani has big plans—think raising the minimum wage to $30, setting up government-run grocery stores, and taxing wealthier neighborhoods under a controversial framework. It’s the kind of agenda that sounds noble to some but feels like a fiscal fever dream to others.
Fetterman, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” on a recent Sunday, didn’t hold back his skepticism about this vision. “Socialism is not the future of my party,” he declared, pointing to historical examples of such systems faltering worldwide.
He went on to say, “And now we are hurting the very people that we fight for.” It’s a gut-punch of a line, suggesting that progressive ideals might backfire on the very communities they claim to uplift.
Look, there’s a real tension here within the Democratic Party. Fetterman’s critique isn’t just about one candidate—it’s a broader warning against policies that could alienate everyday Americans struggling to pay bills.
Mamdani’s supporters, including heavyweights like Hochul and Jeffries, argue his ideas are the bold change NYC needs. But one has to wonder if these plans—government groceries, sky-high wages—will solve problems or just create new ones with taxpayers footing the bill.
The polls suggest Mamdani’s message is resonating, with nearly half of the surveyed voters backing him. But that sliver of undecideds—4% in one poll, 3% in another—could still tip the scales in a city known for surprises.
As the election nears, Fetterman’s dissent is a reminder that not all Democrats are ready to march lockstep into a socialist experiment. His voice, though outnumbered, echoes the concerns of many who fear that overreaching policies could do more harm than good.
So, will New York City chart a radical new course, or will last-minute doubts shift the tide? With just days to go, this race is a microcosm of the larger battle for the soul of the Democratic Party—and maybe the future of urban America itself.
