When Zohran Mamdani won the New York City Democratic mayoral primary in June, he vowed to win over moderate voters and other potential supporters who were unconvinced of his views.

And while he has made some inroads with those voters, skepticism still exists over his "democratic socialist" moniker, his views on Israel and his relative inexperience, among other issues.

Most striking is the number of Democratic lawmakers from New York
— including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
— who still haven't backed his candidacy.

"I think a lot of people were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if he went out there and talked about some of these concerns but he really hasn't done that," said one prominent New York fundraiser. "If he was really changing minds, one has to wonder why the Democratic leaders in Washington still haven't gotten behind him.”

"I think people wonder if he's really checking the boxes or if he's really listening," the fundraiser added.

Susan Del Percio, a veteran New York-based Republican strategist who does not support President Trump, echoed the fundraiser's sentiments.

"A strong nominee would be able to have gotten the endorsements already from all the major lawmakers from New York. These should not be tough things,” Del Percio said. “The fact that this hasn’t happened is revealing of his........

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