(The Center Square) – A growing tide of democratic Socialist candidates spurred comments on Tuesday from U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis about the “rude awakening” of communism that lies ahead for voters.
“I don’t care what they call themselves,” the Republican from New York said during a news conference with U.S. House leadership. “But when you’re taking pages out of the playbook of Karl Marx, pushing for abolishing private property rights and seizing the means of production, or Hugo Chavez in packing the Supreme Court? That’s what you’re going to get.”
Malliotakis, whose mother and grandmother fled Cuba after communist Dictator Fidel Castro took power in 1959, said the regime took over her family’s home and the gas stations her grandfather owned.
As Castro consolidated his power in the island nation just 90 miles from the coast of Florida, Cubans lived “in squalor” while government officials “lived like kings,” she added.
The Commie Caucus is coming to Congress. Here is what it means for you. pic.twitter.com/64gJcuWonm— Rep. Nicole Malliotakis Office (@RepNicole) July 21, 2026
In New York City, democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani sailed to electoral victory last year with his promises of city-run grocery stores, free childcare and rent stabilization. He’s also faced criticism for backing Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, meeting with the Iranian ambassador and threatening to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes.
And, during the Empire State’s June primary election, candidates with the mayor’s endorsement defeated moderates backed by U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader of the chamber.
Mamdani-backed former City Comptroller Brad Lander soundly defeated two-term U.S. Rep. Dan Golden in New York’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.
Claire Valdez, another Mamdani-backed candidate, bested Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in New York’s 7th District, which includes sections of Brooklyn and Queens. Valdez had 58% to Reynoso’s 32%, according to Tuesday night’s results.
Meanwhile, Darializa Avila Chevalier – whom Mamdani endorsed just days before the primary – ousted five-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District to complete the mayor’s political trifecta.
All told, nine Democratic incumbents including state lawmakers and two congressmen lost their seats as Tuesday’s wave of anti-establishment sentiment fanned by Mamdani sent shockwaves through the state’s political establishment.
“We are showing that last June, a year ago tomorrow, was not an anomaly,” Mamdani said. “It was not the end. It was the beginning.”
For Malliotakis, it’s just the beginning of rising costs, limiting free press, and heading toward a traditional communist government.
“What happens in that process?” she said. “The government is stealing wealth from people, stealing property from people and they are using that money to offer things, to redistribute things, in a quest to redistribute that power.”
