Full Breakdown
Cait Conley Declines to Campaign with Progressive Leaders Amid DSA Scrutiny
9/6/2026, 11:17:51 PM
Core Event
Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley told CNN’s “State of the Union” that she would not join campaign events with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When pressed about whether Democrats should reject the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Conley avoided a direct answer, emphasizing a need to unite voters in New York’s 17th Congressional District.
Background & Context
Conley, a 16-year Army veteran who served on former President Joe Biden’s National Security Council, won a crowded Democratic primary in June. Her opponent, two-term Republican Mike Lawler, has framed the race as a test of the DSA’s influence in New York, citing endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani. Lawler’s campaign manager Ciro Riccardi has repeatedly challenged Conley to clarify her stance on the socialist organization’s policy platform, which includes abolishing ICE and redirecting police funding.
Official Statements & Responses
- Conley argued that internal party partisanship was harming government effectiveness and stressed the importance of bringing people together rather than focusing on ideological battles.
- Rep. Tom Suozzi told Fox News Digital that Democrats must confront the DSA’s influence and reject its policy positions, stating he does not ascribe to the organization’s ideas.
- Ciro Riccardi framed Conley’s refusal to disavow the DSA as “disqualifying,” suggesting she is as extreme as the party’s left flank.
Criticism & Opposition
Lawler’s campaign manager accused Conley of “ducking and dodging debate challenges” and of being unable to answer direct questions without revealing her “true colors.” He characterized her lack of a clear rejection of the DSA as evidence that she embraces the organization’s platform.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No, Dana, I‘m good up here making the case to the voters in the New York 17th Congressional District,” — Cait Conley, a 16-year Army veteran
- “I don't ascribe to any of those ideas at all, and I think that there's very little support for those ideas," Suozzi said.” — Rep. Tom Suozzi
