Listen to the article
Republican strategists are moving quickly to link Democratic candidates across the nation to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, focusing particularly on races in Michigan and Colorado as they attempt to turn progressive politics into a liability outside major urban centers.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has identified Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Colorado congressional hopeful Manny Rutinel as early targets in this strategy, arguing that both Democrats have aligned themselves with Mamdani’s progressive politics.
“Manny Rutinel and Abdul El-Sayed have anchored themselves to Mamdani, thinking he will get them across the finish line. Republicans are watching,” RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told Fox News Digital.
This strategy raises a pivotal question for Democratic candidates in competitive districts: Will association with Mamdani’s successful brand of progressive politics energize their campaigns, or will it ultimately alienate moderate voters in their regions?
El-Sayed, who publicly endorsed Mamdani ahead of the recent mayoral election, is navigating this dynamic carefully. When asked if he would embrace becoming “Michigan’s Mamdani,” El-Sayed established his own identity while acknowledging policy similarities.
“I am the Michigan Abdul,” he stated. “I always have been. I always will be.”
Despite this distinction, El-Sayed’s platform bears notable resemblances to Mamdani’s, including affordable housing advocacy, Medicare for All, opposition to corporate tax breaks, and support for tuition-free higher education. He sees these positions as increasingly resonant with voters beyond New York.
“You’re seeing that kind of resonance here in Michigan for sure. And I’m not surprised that you’re seeing that in New York, too,” El-Sayed said. “Government ought to be available to set an equal playing field for everybody and to offer those basic things that everybody needs and deserves.”
In Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, Democrats have nominated state representative Manny Rutinel to challenge incumbent Republican Gabe Evans. Unlike El-Sayed, Rutinel’s policy positions remain largely undefined publicly, with no platform details on his campaign website.
This hasn’t stopped Republican groups from working to establish connections between Rutinel and Mamdani. The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a House Republican fundraising organization, highlighted a video showing someone who appears to be Rutinel at a Mamdani campaign rally, claiming, “What does the CO-08 race have in common with the NYC Mayoral Race? Democrat Manny Rutinel is campaigning in both.”
Rutinel’s campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment on these associations.
Representative Evans’ office emphasized regional political differences rather than directly referencing Mamdani. “When people tell you who they are, believe them. Democrats have fully endorsed the far-left socialist, extremist base of their party — the same base that’s anti-law enforcement and handcuffs work rather than rewarding it. Those policies may sell in New York, but Coloradans aren’t buying it,” a spokesperson for Evans said.
Political observers note that these dynamics reflect the complex calculations Democratic candidates must make in different electoral environments. A strategist familiar with both states’ political landscapes suggested that progressive candidates might lean into Mamdani-style politics during primaries while potentially adjusting for general elections.
“I think — at least in crowded primaries — many candidates are just thinking they need to get through the primary,” the strategist said. “It riles up the base. The base sees Mamdani as the new face of the party. They finally have someone.”
However, the strategist expressed doubt about this approach’s effectiveness in general elections, particularly in more moderate districts like Colorado’s 8th, which was newly created after the 2020 census and features a competitive voter makeup.
The Republican strategy appears aimed at forcing Democratic candidates to either embrace or distance themselves from progressive positions that may play differently across diverse electorates. Bomar concluded with the RNC’s perspective: “Americans want no part of socialism and Mamdani will ultimately sink Democrats’ chances around the country.”
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, this dynamic represents one of the early strategic battlegrounds, with Republicans testing whether they can effectively nationalize local races by connecting candidates to more progressive figures in the Democratic Party.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
18 Comments
The Republican focus on the Mamdani connection seems like a classic attempt to polarize the electorate and paint the Democrats as too extreme. Curious to see if it works.
Agreed. It will be important for the Democratic candidates to clearly articulate their own policy positions rather than getting dragged into a debate about Mamdani.
The Republican attempt to link Democratic candidates to Mamdani is a clever political ploy, but I’m not sure it will have the intended effect. Voters tend to care more about local issues.
That’s a fair point. Candidates who stay focused on addressing the specific concerns of their constituents may be able to overcome these national political narratives.
The Republican strategy of tying Democratic candidates to Mamdani’s progressive politics is a bold move. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out in the elections.
Absolutely. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and the outcome could have significant implications for the broader political landscape.
This is an interesting political tactic, but I wonder if it will have the intended effect. Voters are often more concerned with local issues than national party politics.
That’s a good point. Candidates who can effectively address the specific needs of their constituents may be able to overcome these kinds of national narratives.
I’m curious to see how this Mamdani connection strategy plays out. It could backfire if voters feel the Republicans are trying to distract from more pressing local concerns.
Agreed. Voters are often more interested in practical solutions to issues in their communities than in partisan bickering.
The Republican focus on linking Democratic candidates to Mamdani’s progressive politics is a bold move. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out in the elections.
Absolutely. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and the outcome could have significant implications for the broader political landscape.
This strategy highlights the ongoing ideological tug-of-war within the Democratic party. It will be interesting to see how candidates like El-Sayed and Rutinel position themselves.
Exactly. They’ll need to find a delicate balance between energizing their base and appealing to more moderate voters. Not an easy task.
This Mamdani connection strategy seems like a classic attempt to polarize the electorate. It will be interesting to see if voters are more concerned with local issues or national party politics.
Good point. Candidates who can effectively articulate their own policy positions and address the specific concerns of their constituents may be able to overcome these kinds of national narratives.
Interesting to see Republicans try to tie Democratic candidates to Mamdani’s progressive politics. I wonder how this strategy will play out in more moderate districts.
It’s a risky move, as Mamdani’s brand of politics may energize some voters but alienate others. Will be curious to see how the candidates navigate this dynamic.