Erika Kirk suggested that Zohran Mamdani was able to secure female voters because women in New York City view government as a ‘replacement’ for husband’s and family

C.E.O. and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA Erika Kirk speaks onstage during the 2025 New York Times Dealbook Summit

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Erika Kirk suggested women in New York see government as a ‘replacement’ for husbands (Image: Getty Images)

Erika Kirk bizarrely suggested that women in New York may have voted Zohran Mamdani for mayor because they see the government as a “replacement” for a husband.

The widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who is now the CEO of his Turning Point USA organization, expressed concern during an appearance at the The 2025 New York Times DeaBook Summit that women living in cities are putting off marriage and starting families. Erika’s comments came after she was asked by DealBook editor Andrew Ross Sorkin what she thinks of Mamdani.

Sorkin noted that Mamdani was able to capture younger voters on the “complete opposite end” of Charlie Kirk’s controversial political ideals. “You know it’s so interesting because I lived in Manhattan for a while and I loved this city. I’m going to come at this from a female voter because a high percentage of his voters were female,” Erika began.

 

She continued: “I think there’s a tendency in a city like Manhattan, where again, you are so career-driven and you almost look to the government as a form of replacement for certain things, relationship-wise even. So you see things a little bit differently.”

Erika paused briefly before adding: “What I don’t want to have happen is women, young women in the city, look to the government as a solution to put off having a family or a marriage because you’re relying on the government to support you instead of being united with a husband.”

If you cannot see the video of Erika Kirk speaking about Mamdani, click here.

She clarified that “you can support yourself and your husband can support, and you guys can all combine together,” concluding: “But I just find it so ironic and so interesting that a heavy percentage of the individuals that voted for him were female.”

Mamdani will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor after winning the electoral race on November 4. The democratic socialist defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, to win the election.

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington.

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Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election last month(Image: AP)

He secured 75% of the votes from young voters (ages 18-29), according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, and won 82% of the vote among young women.

Erika’s comments quickly sparked backlash online, as Mamdani’s supporters defended his campaign platform as being pro-women.

“Mamdani’s universal childcare and affordable housing agenda is so anti-family,” on X user wrote sarcastically.” A second commented: “What a load of bs, mamdani is not going to take over the role of family, he is making family life easier with cost of living reduction that has failed families over the last 40 years.”

Many were simply left confused by the 37-year-old’s remarks. “Wait, they’re career-driven women but at the same time rely on the government to provide for them? That actually makes no sense,” one wrote.

“What is she on about? What a nonsensical comment,” a second said. Another noted: “tbf I don’t think anyone understood what she was trying to say.”