New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed candidates achieved a significant sweep in three Democratic congressional primaries, demonstrating an expanded influence for the democratic socialist wing of the national Democratic Party. These victories, coming against more mainstream contenders, are seen as an early and successful test for a new faction within the party, particularly challenging House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries's influence. The Mamdani-backed slate included Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez, all of whom advocated for policies such as abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated two-term incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District, covering parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, by a margin of 2-to-1. Goldman faced criticism for not rejecting support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a key point of division in this year's Democratic primaries. Lander, although not identifying as a democratic socialist himself, had previously cross-endorsed Mamdani in last year's mayoral race.
In the 13th District, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student and community organizer, delivered perhaps the most impressive win by defeating five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, by approximately four percentage points. This district covers northern Manhattan and a portion of the Bronx. Additionally, first-term assemblywoman Claire Valdez secured a victory against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in a district spanning northwestern Brooklyn and Queens, a seat vacated by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez. Reynoso had received endorsements from Velazquez and many local officials, but Valdez's win underscored the progressive surge.
The New York primary results highlight the ideological battles within the Democratic Party, particularly concerning the U.S. relationship with Israel. Lander, who is Jewish, emphasized this fault line, stating that Democrats are "painfully" divided over the U.S. relationship with Israel and Palestine, calling former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policy a "catastrophic failure." The topic of Israel's actions in Gaza was central to all the New York races endorsed by Mamdani, with his candidates taking a more critical stance than their mainstream opponents. This outcome sets the stage for future ideological confrontations within the party, potentially influencing the 2028 presidential race.
