NY socialist surge could push Dem voters to defect, GOP governor candidate predicts

FIRST ON FOX: Following a string of high-profile victories by socialist candidates, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman warned the Democratic Party has veered too far left and predicted establishment Democrats will increasingly back Republicans.

Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital in the wake of Tuesday's wins, Blakeman said the results underscored the growing influence of the party's progressive wing and exposed a widening divide within the Democratic coalition.

"The lunatic left has taken over the Democratic Party," he said just hours after three socialists backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their primaries in New York districts. "They've lost control of their party."

The rise of socialist victories against traditional Democrats have intensified debate over the Party's future and the growing influence of its far-left flank. Republicans have seized on those wins as evidence the party is moving away from moderate voters on issues such as taxes and public safety.

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Blakeman, who is running to unseat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, argued that socialists have effectively taken control of the Democratic Party, creating an opening for Republicans among moderate and working-class voters in the state.

"They've offered everybody free stuff," Blakeman told Fox News Digital, adding that progressive candidates are making unrealistic promises to voters. "They're never going to do what they say they're going to," he continued, warning that such proposals would ultimately prove impossible to deliver.

He argued voters are being sold an unrealistic vision in which "everything in New York could be free," while longtime Democrats increasingly feel disconnected from the party's recent direction.

"The traditional Democrats are going to vote for Republicans this year," Blakeman predicted. "They know their party has gone off the deep end."

The Republican hopeful pointed to Mamdani's meteoric rise as evidence of what he described as the growing influence of socialists within the party. Blakeman acknowledges that proposals such as government-run grocery stores and other publicly funded programs may be politically popular but claims they would ultimately fail to deliver on their promises.

"Free grocery stores, I mean, that's complete nonsense," Blakeman said. "Government should not be competing with the private sector."

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Blakeman said many of the policies being championed by progressive candidates could harm small businesses and accelerate the outflow of residents and employers from New York. Instead, he argued, the state should focus on lowering taxes, reducing utility costs and creating a more business-friendly environment.

During his interview with Fox News Digital the night after sweeping socialist victories in New York, Blakeman accused Hochul of being just as radical and failing to stand up to the Democratic Party's left flank as progressive figures like Mamdani gain prominence.

"They're in league together," Blakeman said of Hochul and Mamdani. "I now call her Comrade Kathy."

Though he ran uncontested, Blakeman's campaign received a boost earlier this year when he secured President Donald Trump's endorsement as he seeks to unseat Hochul in deep blue New York, the president's longtime home state.

Asked about Trump's support, Blakeman said it's valuable but urged voters to focus on shared concerns such as affordability, public safety and lowering taxes.

Blakeman argued that the Democratic Party's growing embrace of socialist candidates could ultimately benefit Republicans, particularly among suburban and working-class voters who he believes feel increasingly disconnected from the party's priorities.

"Traditional Democrats see their party going off the deep end. They don't like it," Blakeman said. "They're going to come on board with us because it's the only way to stop their party from becoming an extinct party."

Mamdani's office and Hochul's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.