New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), saw all three of his endorsed congressional candidates win their Democratic primaries on Tuesday. This outcome is a major boost for the progressive movement and positions Mamdani as a significant political force in New York. His victory in the 2025 mayoral race was already considered a watershed moment for the left, and these primary results solidify his influence in shaping the city's congressional delegation. The success of these candidates is seen as a "moment of more," as Mamdani described it, pushing for a more progressive Democratic Party.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, supported by Mamdani, defeated incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District. This was a particularly contentious race, as Espaillat is the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and an ally of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mamdani's endorsement of Avila Chevalier, a fervent critic of Israel, put him at odds with some establishment Democrats and even national progressives who had sided with Espaillat. Despite Espaillat's prior endorsement of Mamdani for mayor, Mamdani chose to support Avila Chevalier, highlighting a desire to advance candidates with stronger socialist and anti-corporate stances.
In the 10th District, former City Comptroller Brad Lander, also endorsed by Mamdani, triumphed over incumbent Representative Dan Goldman. Lander and Mamdani had formed an alliance during the mayoral election, with Lander encouraging his supporters to rank Mamdani second. This victory further demonstrates the growing power of the progressive left in New York City politics. An Emerson College poll conducted from May 16-17 showed Lander with 57% of respondents planning to vote for him, compared to Goldman's 23%, indicating strong support. In the 7th District, an open race, Assemblymember Claire Valdez, another Mamdani-backed candidate, won against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. This victory secures another House seat for a progressive candidate and further strengthens the socialist faction within New York politics.
The success of these candidates is a direct challenge to the Democratic establishment and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who had endorsed Goldman and Espaillat. Jeffries, tasked with securing a Democratic majority in the upcoming midterm elections, now faces a situation where resources were diverted to defend incumbents who ultimately lost. The outcomes of these primaries will serve as a key indicator of Jeffries' influence and Mamdani's potential to establish a lasting legacy of political power at the expense of the city's traditional Democratic establishment. Mamdani's approval ratings, around 43-48% according to different polls, suggest a significant level of support among New Yorkers, enabling him to leverage his political capital effectively.
