▲ U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
The "bromance" between U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leaving Republican candidates in New York baffled, political outlet Politico reported on September 27 (local time).
Ahead of the November midterm elections, Republican candidates running across New York State have relied on a strategy highlighting the anti-Israel stance and socialist platform of Mayor Mamdani, a Democrat.
The goal has been to attack Democratic rival candidates by tying them to Mayor Mamdani.
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for New York governor, has portrayed incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul as a politician walking the same path as Mayor Mamdani.
Blakeman's campaign even released an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video featuring Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani walking side by side.
In the district of Republican Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican super PAC aired an advertisement linking Democratic candidate Kate Connery to Mayor Mamdani.
Republican candidate Mike LiPetri, running in a Long Island district, has also targeted Mayor Mamdani.
The strategy is aimed at instilling a perception among voters that the Democratic Party has shifted too far to the left.
However, this campaign strategy has been shaken following President Trump's recent meeting with Mayor Mamdani.
After meeting Mayor Mamdani at the New York mayoral residence on September 23, President Trump stated that he has "tremendous potential" and wished him success.
It was the exact opposite of the narrative pushed by Republican candidates who have been targeting Mayor Mamdani.
The friendly relationship between President Trump and Mayor Mamdani began during their first meeting at the White House in November of last year.
During their second meeting in February, the two discussed zoning regulation reforms to promote housing development in New York City.
In their recent meeting, they also discussed a plan to build thousands of homes above a rail yard in Queens.
Blakeman maintains that the meeting between President Trump and Mayor Mamdani will not impact the election.
"The president holds the highest office in the United States and the mayor is also a public official," he said. "It is only natural for the two to talk."
Within the Republican Party, however, reactions indicate that President Trump's remarks have increased the burden on candidates in New York battlegrounds.
A Republican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out regarding President Trump's favorable remarks about Mayor Mamdani that "it is a very disadvantageous situation for Blakeman."
While Republican candidates are sticking to their strategy of attacking the Democratic Party's leftward shift, the effectiveness of using Mayor Mamdani as a symbolic target has diminished.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.