Zohran Mamdani becomes an issue in N.J. governor’s race

Republicans are criticizing divergent statements made by Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor, regarding her support for Zohran Mamdani, the controversial Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

In a PIX 11 interview on Friday, Sherrill said she hasn’t taken sides in the across-the-river campaign.  But just after the July Democratic primary, where Mamdani easily bested former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others, she suggested she would back him the general election.

“If he’s the Democratic candidate, which it sounds like he is, I assume I will (support him),” the four-term congresswoman told NBC Philadelphia.  “If he’s going to be working on efficient government, that’s something very interesting to me.”

Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee, slammed Sherrill for flip-flopping.

“First Mikie Sherrill endorses Zohran Mamdani and calls his radical policies ‘interesting’ — now she’s pretending she never heard of him? Come on, Mikie.  New Jersey voters aren’t stupid.” Ciattarelli said.  “Roll the tape.  You said it, you own it.”

Republican strategist Alex Wilkes called it “just complete gaslighting.”

The Ciattarelli campaign produced a digital ad earlier this month about her would-be backing of Mamdani.