At least two Dem candidates seeking to challenge GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in New York City’s suburbs now say they’d welcome an endorsement from far-left Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani — after previously ducking the issue.
New York congressional hopeful Effie Phillips Staley was filmed Jan. 13 — two weeks after Mamdani’s inauguration — covering her face and refusing to answer when asked about a potential Mamdani endorsement by someone in a Republican group outside a candidates’ forum.
But her campaign has since told The Post she’s on board with Mamdani’s potential backing — even boasting that her affordability platform is similar to that of the Democratic Socialist mayor, who stunningly swept into office with his November election win.
““Zohran Mamdani created genuine excitement within the Democratic Party, and expanded the electorate in a way that no other establishment Democrat seems willing to do,” Phillips Staley’s campaign gushed in a statement.
“He did it by connecting with working people who are fed up with government policies that benefit the ultra-wealthy and well-connected at the expense of everyone else.
“Effie’s agenda, which includes a cash assistance program for first time home buyers, universal childcare from birth to kindergarten and an end to ICE’s terror, comes from the same philosophy that got Mamdani elected: create a government that serves people first, not the ultra rich and special interests,” her camp said.
Another Democratic candidate, Peter Chatzky, also had previously dodged questions about a Mamdani endorsement outside the Jan. 13 event but then told The Post on Sunday, “I probably would [accept Mamdani’s backing].
“He’s energetic He ran a very impressive campaign,” Chatzky said. “He focused on affordability. It’s a problem in [Lawler’s] district as well.”
The 17th House District runs through Rockland County, portions of northern Westchester County and parts of Putnam, and Dutchess counties.
Another candidate, Beth Davidson, reached Sunday, still kept her distance from Mamdani.
“I’m not seeking endorsements from elected officials from New York City,” Davidson said.
But Lawler’s campaign pounced on those who did.
“Effie Phillips is a radical leftist, but at least she has the guts to admit it publicly,” said Lawler campaign manager Ciro Ricccardi.
“It’s time for every Democrat candidate in NY-17 to join Congressman Lawler in rebuking Zohran Mamdani or join Effie Phillips in embracing him and his extreme agenda. Hudson Valley voters deserve a straight answer.”
During the Jan. 13 forum hosted by the left-wing activist group Indivisible, a Republican political attendee had asked five candidates if they would welcome a Mamdani endorsement.
Four of the five declined to comment at all, and one other gave a vague answer.
Mamdani’s camp did not respond to a Post request for comment Monday.
The lower Hudson Valley seat is considered a swing district.
The non-partisan Cook Political Report recently changed the rating for the Lawler seat from “lean Republican” in November to “toss-up.”
