Dems Raise Alarms Over Trump Chances Over Biden in New York: ‘Truly Believe We’re a Battleground State Now’

Some Democrats are raising alarms over New York, a state that has for years voted reliably blue, with one calling it a “battleground state” despite President Joe Biden easily beating Donald Trump in the state in 2020.

“We’re still acting like this is a one-party state, which for pretty much 20, 25 years it has been,” Democratic Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine told Politico as part of a report on the state. “I truly believe we’re a battleground state now.”

The concern among Levin and others is primarily a political shift in certain districts affecting down ballot races.

“The implications for control of Congress are real enough that I think this needs more national attention,” Levin said.

In the 2020 presidential election , Biden won the state with approximately 60% of the vote compared to Trump getting less than 40%.

Fallout from the recent CNN debate and the president’s followup interviews though have some concerned an opportunity could be opening for Republicans in the blue state.

Politico reported that two “private polls” in a “swing New York House district” suggested a tight race. The polls, one conducted in September and another in March, found Trump with a one point lead over Biden. The president still holds a lead over Trump in the state, but it has slowed to a less-than-10% lead.

New York Building and Construction Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera told Politico he’s had trouble convincing members to vote for Biden.

A number of officials and Biden allies spoke on the condition of anonymity to give blunt assessments of the struggles in getting voters to back Biden.

“One high-level New York Democrat” told the outlet that local New York candidates are currently in a place where they need to distance themselves from the president.

“It’s never been more important for a Democratic House member to focus on building their own local brand and to run on that,” the Democrat said. “Biden isn’t going to be handing out coattails no matter what. He’s only got anchors.”

Some are still holding the party line and remain unconvinced Republicans can nab historic wins in the state come November.

“He’s the most unpopular person in New York politics, and there is no doubt that voters will once again turn out for President Biden in November,” New York State Democratic committee spokesperson Jennifer Goodman said.

Manhattan Democratic Chair Keith Wright meanwhile predicted a “landslide” in favor of Republicans.

“Trump is not in play here,” Wright said.