Cait Conley Addresses Campaign Strategy and DSA Influence in Congressional Race

<p>Democratic U.S. congressional candidate Cait Conley stated during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" that she would not campaign alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. However, she did not provide a direct answer regarding whether Democrats should reject the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).</p><p>The DSA's influence has become a topic in her campaign to unseat Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. CNN anchor Dana Bash inquired if Conley would campaign with Mamdani or Ocasio-Cortez, noting that Lawler has attempted to associate his opponent with the Democratic Party's socialist wing.</p><p>"No, Dana, I‘m good up here making the case to the voters in the New York 17th Congressional District," Conley said.</p><p>Lawler's campaign manager, Ciro Riccardi, commented that Conley's appearance highlighted why the campaign has criticized her for avoiding debates and failing to distance herself from the DSA. "Now everyone is seeing why Cait Conley has ducked and dodged debate challenges with Congressman Lawler. She’s incapable of answering direct questions without showing her true colors," he said. "Cait Conley’s refusal to disavow Zohran Mamdani and the DSA is disqualifying. She is just as extreme as the rest and that was exposed today for all to see, including embracing impeachment."</p><p>Lawler previously stated that he challenged Conley to six debates following her Democratic primary victory, while Conley's campaign indicated she agreed to two debates hosted by local networks.</p><p>Bash also referenced Rep. Tom Suozzi’s calls for the Democratic Party to confront the DSA and asked Conley if she agreed. Conley did not directly state whether she believed Democrats should reject the organization, instead discussing political division within both parties.</p><p>"I look at what we’re trying to do, which is unite this country where we have seen partisanship to include partisanship within our own party — absolutely divide people to render government dysfunctional," Conley said. "What we have to focus on is how do we bring people together, and right now, what I see coming out of Washington is corruption on both sides, extremism on both sides that is fueling hate, fueling dysfunction."</p><p>Suozzi has taken a more explicit stance toward the DSA, stating in August that Democrats need to address the DSA's influence and reject its policy positions. "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.</p><p>The DSA's national program advocates for abolishing ICE, ending detention and deportations, redirecting police funding, universal rent control, publicly owned social housing, and universal government-funded healthcare.</p><p>Lawler’s campaign has previously questioned Conley regarding her relationship with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing after Ocasio-Cortez congratulated Conley on her primary win in June. Riccardi challenged Conley to clarify whether she rejected Ocasio-Cortez and other candidates associated with the party’s left flank.</p><p>"Which is it, Cait: do you reject AOC and the candidates who want to abolish ICE, defund the police, and tear down our borders, or do you embrace them?" Riccardi asked.</p><p>Conley, a 16-year Army veteran who served on former President Joe Biden's National Security Council, won a crowded Democratic primary in June and is challenging two-term incumbent Lawler in a closely watched Hudson Valley contest that could determine control of the House.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Conley for comment but did not receive an immediate response.</p>