Blake’s offering a safe harbor from Zo’s red wave.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman decried the stunning socialist sweep by Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates during Tuesday’s primaries, casting it as another failure of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership.
“The [Democratic] party has been taken over,” the Nassau County executive told The Post Wednesday afternoon.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Darialia Avila Chevalier celebrating her Democratic primary win at a watch party on June 23, 2026. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Mamdani hugging Democratic candidate Assemblywoman Claire Valdez after she won her primary. Getty Images“I’m asking common sense Democrats to join our cause to save New York from the socialist, anti-American Communists and restore normalcy to our state,” Blakeman said.
Mamdani’s slate of far-left congressional and state legislature candidates — including firebrand Darializa Avila Chevalier — dominated their primary contests against moderate Democrats.
The wins showed Mamdani’s influence over the Democratic Party writ large, and raised fears among establishment pols that his Democratic Socialists of America faction is gaining power.
Blakeman extended an olive branch to disaffected moderates.
Mamdani congratulating former city Comptroller Brad Lander after he defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman. Stephen Yang for NY Post
The Post’s cover on the success of Mamdani’s fellow democratic socialists in the Democratic primary elections.
“I’ve heard from many Democrats who believe, at this point, the only way for them to get their party back is for me to become governor,” he said, vowing to “stop” Mamdani and his DSA-backed comrades if elected in November.
Blakeman, who has previously touted himself as the “100% MAGA” candidate, said he didn’t believe his firm alignment with President Trump would keep moderate Dems from backing him, though some party insiders didn’t buy it.
“We may not agree on everything, but we share American values and common sense,” Blakeman said, referring to the surge in popularity for DSA candidates as the “lunatic wing of the Democrat Party.
“I’m asking traditional Democrats and classical liberals to join my campaign — it’s the only strategy — if we don’t stop Mamdani and Hochul now, we will never be able to,” the Long Island pol said, blaming the pair for making the state less affordable and less safe to live in.
