We’re on the eve of one of the most consequential races in New York City’s history, and Republicans seem poised to attack Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani all the way to Election Day.

The GOP is now convinced that Mamdani, who has been struggling to obtain endorsements from longtime Democrats, is apparently the one calling the shots within the party. Congressional Republicans even seem ready to blame him for the monthlong government shutdown they have no desire to end.

“The Democratic Party has changed, Mamdani is now running the party,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, said during an Oct. 29 news conference about the government shutdown. “That party has changed. The American people still have the same needs.”

This isn’t the first time Republicans have fearmongered about Mamdani. They are clearly threatened by the 34-year-old democratic socialist and are fearful of what New York City will become if he’s elected mayor. My fear, however, is that these attacks are just beginning and will only get worse if Mamdani does prevail on Nov. 4.

Republicans love to attack Mamdani – including Trump

Since Mamdani became the Democratic nominee, Republicans have been lobbing attacks at the state assemblyman who seems poised to become the next mayor of New York City. Members of the GOP have demanded that President Donald Trump’s administration consider deporting Mamdani, while others have made horrific comments about his Muslim identity.

Trump has also made multiple comments about Mamdani since the primary election, including falsely labeling the nominee a “communist” and claiming that he is “here illegally.” Shortly after the primary election in June, the president threatened to arrest Mamdani.

Recently, Trump vowed to send in the National Guard and withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani were elected, claiming, “We have a communist ... doesn't know a thing, probably never worked a day in his life, and he sort of caught on.”

It’s wild to me that Republican leaders suddenly care so much about the fate of New York City, given how much they love to complain about the Democratic stronghold. What worries me is that Republicans are so hellbent on this narrative of the city’s destruction that Mamdani’s potential election victory will lead Trump to attack the city for years to come.

Democrats are fearmongering, too – and refusing to endorse Mamdani

Of course, I’m not the only one worried about this. Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo has said as much on the campaign trail, arguing that this is the reason that he, a scandal-ridden former governor of New York, should be the one to take over city hall.

“If Mamdani wins, you are going to see Trump come in here and take over New York City,” Cuomo told podcast host Stephen A. Smith on Oct. 29. “You mark my words.”

I don’t buy that. Cuomo is trying to stoke fears among New Yorkers just as much as the Republicans are – and Democrats should be wary of listening to him.

Since Trump’s reelection, several Democratic elected officials have flirted with right-wing talking points instead of standing strong in their beliefs.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-New York, said after the election that Democrats lost votes for “pandering to the far left,” throwing trans people under the bus in the process. Suozzi, who represents part of Long Island, also recently chose to buck the party and endorsed Cuomo, declaring himself “a democratic capitalist, not a democratic socialist.”

Other Democrats are showing their spinelessness by refraining from commenting on the mayoral race altogether. Both New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have failed to endorse Mamdani, signaling their discomfort with someone as far left as Mamdani becoming a leader in the party.

If Mamdani does win, he’s going to need support from his fellow Democrats when Trump inevitably tries to go after New York City. It’s time for longtime members of the party to stand with him, instead of letting him be relentlessly attacked by the president of the United States and his acolytes. It’s time for Democrats to take a stand in support of Mamdani, especially since he is likely to be the person fielding the most attacks from Trump in the coming years.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter: @sara__pequeno

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Everyone is attacking Mamdani. That's how I know he's about to win NYC mayor. | Opinion

Reporting by Sara Pequeño, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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