Democratic Rep. Josh Riley has declined to answer questions about Zohran Mamdani's campaign. (Getty)
Fox News Digital reached out to Riley’s campaign for comment on specifically where he stands on Mamdani’s campaign but did not receive a response.
"Josh Riley won’t denounce dangerous socialist Zohran Mamdani because they share the same far-left agenda," NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole told Fox News Digital in a statement.
"His campaign is bankrolled by the exact same radical donors backing Mamdani."
TRUMP TORCHES '100% COMMUNIST LUNATIC' MAMDANI, DEM BACKERS AFTER SHOCK NYC MAYORAL PRIMARY WIN
Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally at the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council headquarters in New York, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Riley and Mamdani share a few notable endorsements as well from far-left groups, including MoveOn.org, the New York Working Families Party and the New York Progressive Action Network.
The race in NY-19, which will come as the GOP attempts to hold a razor-thin majority in the House, is expected to be highly competitive. Former VP Kamala Harris narrowly edged out President Donald Trump in 2024 in the district by a single percentage point.
Riley's hesitation to take a firm stance in support of Mamdani and his policies represents a growing trend in the national political conversation. Some believe that progressives like Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., are the face of the party while other Democrats have attempted to moderate and steer away from far-left positions.
"It is a political realignment that overwhelmingly favors Republicans and Mamdani’s stunning win just makes the problem worse for Democrats," columnist David Marcus recently wrote for FoxNews.com. "Republicans will have reason to rejoice if Democrats can’t tac to the center, but for New York City, there is no joy; fewer than half a million radical leftists have all but elected a socialist to govern a city of 9 million souls, and if Chicago and San Francisco are anything to learn from, it won’t end well.
"Time is running out for the old establishment Democrats, and one must begin to wonder if they are ever going to even try to fight back."
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vulnerable-house-dem-facing-heat-for-dodging-questions-about-socialist-mamdanis-rise