Florida Republican House candidate Scott Singer, the former mayor of Boca Raton, said Tuesday's primary results in New York City demonstrate a radical shift in the Democratic Party that will accelerate the migration of businesses and residents to states like Florida.
Three Democrats running for Congress who were endorsed by New York City's socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated their establishment opposition in primaries held earlier this week. Two of those candidates also received endorsements from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Singer, who is running for Congress in Florida's 25th Congressional District, said these outcomes signal a fundamental transformation of American politics.
What the Right Is Saying
"It should be concerning for all Americans because you had the Democratic Party continuing to be co-opted by a fringe socialist base, which is now not the fringe," Singer told Fox News Digital. "When you have two Democratic members of the House taken out by candidates who say things like they want to abolish ICE, abolish all prisons, and end private healthcare, it shows that the Democratic Party in New York and increasingly in America is not only not our parents' Democratic Party."
Singer argued that Tuesday night's results demonstrate how far left the Democratic Party has moved. "The far left is trouncing what used to be the moderates in the Democratic Party," he said. He cited concerns about antisemitism, pointing to reported vandalism at Congressman Dan Goldman's office and claims that Goldman was denied service at a restaurant because of his religion.
Singer said one of his motivations for running for Congress stems from concerns about radical influences moving to Florida from states like New York. "We're going to continue to see people flee New York," he said, adding that business leaders have contacted him about relocating operations to Florida due to taxes and policies they oppose.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and socialist-backed candidates argue that Tuesday's primary results represent democratic choices made by voters frustrated with establishment politics. Mamdani, who ran as a Democratic Socialist and won the mayoralty, has built significant political influence in New York City through his advocacy for affordable housing, healthcare expansion, and criminal justice reform.
Supporters of the winning candidates say their platforms reflect growing public support for reforming immigration enforcement, reducing incarceration rates, and expanding access to healthcare. DSA chapters across the country have pointed to the NYC results as evidence that socialist policies are gaining mainstream acceptance within the Democratic Party.
What the Numbers Show
Three Democratic primaries in New York City resulted in socialist-backed candidates defeating incumbent or establishment Democrats on Tuesday. Two of those winning candidates received formal endorsements from the DSA.
Brad Lander, a Mamdani endorsee, defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in one high-profile race. Goldman's congressional office was reportedly vandalized three days before the primary election.
Florida's 25th Congressional District, where Singer is running, covers parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties. Singer served as mayor of Boca Raton from 2018 to 2024.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's primary results in New York City represent a significant test of socialist candidates' electoral strength in a major American city. Singer and other Republicans are citing these outcomes as evidence that the Democratic Party is shifting further left, while progressive groups see them as validation of their growing influence.
Singer predicts more residents and businesses will relocate from New York to states like Florida, where he argues economic policies are more favorable to business growth. He will face voters in November in a district that will determine control of Congress. What remains to be seen is whether the political dynamics Singer describes will resonate beyond his own campaign or reflect broader electoral trends across the country.