New York City's Democratic primaries are seeing spirited challenges to incumbents from progressive candidates, with key races potentially influencing the balance of power in the U.S. House. Democratic incumbents U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat are both facing challengers backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a prominent democratic socialist. Mamdani's endorsements aim to expand the progressive bloc in Congress, and he has also backed state Assembly Member Claire Valdez in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.
One of the most closely watched races is in Manhattan’s 12th Congressional District, where eight Democrats are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler. The field includes Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who is running in a wealthy district despite questions about his relative lack of work experience. Other top contenders in this race are state Assemblymen Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, and attorney George Conway, a vocal critic of Donald Trump. Lasher boasts endorsements from Nadler, Governor Kathy Hochul, and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
North of the city, in the 17th Congressional District, five Democrats are competing to unseat two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler. Lawler is unopposed for his party's nomination in this swing district. The Democratic field includes former White House counter-terrorism official Cait Conley, Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson, and Tarrytown Village Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley. Conley leads in fundraising, followed by Davidson, making this district a prime target for Democrats hoping to flip the House.
The primaries are also testing the political influence of Mayor Mamdani and the continued viability of democratic socialist platforms in New York City. For example, Mamdani endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier, 32, against Espaillat, 71, in a district covering Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Additionally, former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a prominent progressive, is challenging Goldman in a district spanning lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, with the war in Gaza being a central point of contention.
