Mamdani-Backed Socialist Challengers Sweep New York House Primaries
On June 23, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsed candidates—Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez—defeated two incumbents and one establishment figure in Democratic House primaries. The wins in the 10th, 13th, and 7th districts reflect surging far-left influence, driven by Democratic Socialists of America, and alarm the party’s establishment, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. All three are expected to win in November.
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Democratic Socialists Worry Democrats with Anti-Israel Primary Win in New York
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic socialist and anti-Israel activist, has won a New York primary election with the backing of prominent academic Mahmood Mamdani. Her victory is causing concern among Democratic Party leaders, who fear that her rise and policy positions could pose a political liability for the party in upcoming general elections. The primary win highlights internal divisions within the Democratic Party over foreign policy and far-left activism, potentially impacting voter turnout and broader electoral strategy.
WSJ.com: PoliticsDemocratic Divide Over Israel Widens After New York Primaries
The Democratic Party's internal rift over Israel has intensified following New York City primary elections. Zohran Mamdani, the city's first democratic socialist mayor, supported three primary candidates who won their races, unseating two incumbent Democrats. The elections were notably centered on the Israel issue, with Mamdani-backed candidates making it a campaign focus. This development highlights growing ideological divisions within the party regarding US policy toward Israel, as progressive Democrats increasingly challenge pro-Israel establishment figures.
Just In NewsNew York progressive sweep sparks reckoning as Hispanic caucus loses Espaillat
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, was defeated in this week's primary election by a candidate backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The loss of the history-making incumbent, along with Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), signals a progressive sweep in New York politics. The outcome has sparked complex reactions within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as Espaillat's defeat removes a powerful Latino leader from Congress. The primary results reflect shifting dynamics in the Democratic Party and the growing influence of Mayor Mamdani's political machine in New York City.
Just In NewsZohran Mamdani’s Primary Sweep Sparks Democratic Infighting Ahead of Midterms
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, has ignited a Democratic civil war after his slate of candidates defeated three establishment favorites, including two House incumbents (Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat), in primary contests. The victories, seen as a rebuke of the party’s centrist leadership, have deepened the divide between progressives and the establishment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other moderates dismiss the results as irrelevant to national midterms, while progressives like Rep. Summer Lee and Sen. Bernie Sanders urge the party to embrace working-class economic populism. Former President Trump seized on the outcome to paint Democrats as 'radical left.' The Mamdani-backed candidates ran on platforms including abolishing ICE, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, and taxing the rich, reflecting voter anger over economic struggles and the status quo.
Fortune | FORTUNEMamdani: New Yorkers' primary wins signal exhaustion with status quo politics
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) asserted that voters in Tuesday's Democratic primaries expressed deep fatigue with 'status quo politics' by electing democratic socialist candidates he endorsed. The election results saw three of Mamdani's supported candidates win House primary races, and six secure New York State Assembly seats. A significant number of these victories involved unseating incumbent legislators, marking a notable shift in the political landscape. The wins underscore a growing progressive and anti-establishment sentiment among New York City and state voters, potentially reshaping the Democratic Party's internal dynamics ahead of the general election.
Just In NewsMamdani's Selective Socialism: NYC Mayor's Political Bets Pay Off
City Journal analysis examines New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political strategy, describing him as a calculated risk-taker who won the mayoralty in 2025 after launching a long-shot campaign in October 2024 without giving up his state assembly seat. The article highlights Mamdani's success in the June 2026 congressional primaries, where his endorsed candidates won three races: Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brad Lander beat incumbent Dan Goldman, and Darializa Avila Chevalier edged out five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. The piece argues Mamdani took minimal real risk, needing only one win to claim victory, and notes his ability to capitalize on voter concerns about cost of living while the establishment focused on corruption and crime. Analysts at City Journal characterize Mamdani as a skillful political investor who hedges bets successfully.
City JournalMayor Mamdani's Endorsed Candidates Win New York Democratic Primaries
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's three endorsed congressional candidates—Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—won their Democratic primary races on Tuesday, signaling that the progressive political currents that carried Mamdani to victory last November remain strong. The closest race was in New York's 13th Congressional District, where DSA-aligned challenger Chevalier defeated establishment incumbent Adriano Espaillat by fewer than 3,000 votes, after Mamdani's late endorsement boosted her campaign. The article notes that while the victories expand the left-wing 'Squad' in Congress, they do not prove a majority of New Yorkers are hard-left socialists, but rather that a well-organized DSA machine can succeed in low-turnout closed primaries. The three nominees are likely to win their November general elections in their Democratic-leaning districts.
City JournalMayor Mamdani’s Endorsed Candidates Win Primaries, Showing Sustained Progressive Strength in NYC
On June 24, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s three endorsed congressional candidates—Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—all won Democratic primary nominations, signaling that the progressive political movement that brought Mamdani to office last November remains potent. The closest race was in New York’s 13th Congressional District, where Chevalier, a 32-year-old CUNY Ph.D. candidate and DSA-aligned activist, narrowly defeated incumbent Adriano Espaillat by fewer than 3,000 votes out of about 65,000 cast. Chevalier’s campaign gained momentum after Mamdani’s late endorsement. The article highlights a broader cleavage between working-class immigrant voters skeptical of socialism and younger, white, college-educated supporters of the socialist cause. The results are seen as expanding the progressive Squad in Congress, though turnout remained low, with analysts noting the effective mobilization of a small but well-organized DSA machine.
City JournalProgressives Sweep New York Primaries, Toppling Establishment Incumbents
In a major upset for New York's political establishment, three leftist congressional candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America and Mayor Zohran Mamdani decisively defeated well-funded incumbents and corporate-backed rivals in Democratic primaries. Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander won the 10th District with 66% against Rep. Dan Goldman. Assemblymember Claire Valdez, a former UAW organizer, beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District with 56.1%. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Palestinian rights organizer, defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District with 49.4%, despite nearly $7 million in super PAC spending and racist smears. The victories are seen as a test of Mayor Mamdani's political influence and signal a shift away from machine politics, though grassroots organizers emphasized that volunteer efforts and outside spending from groups like American Priorities and Justice Democrats were crucial. Local and national unions largely backed the establishment candidates, highlighting a disconnect between labor leadership and rank-and-file voters.
The American ProspectMamdani's Insurgents Oust Two Democratic Congressmen in New York Primaries
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's slate of progressive, democratic socialist candidates swept key congressional primaries, defeating two incumbent Democratic congressmen, Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman. The victories represent a major rebuke to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who campaigned against Mamdani's candidates. The winning candidates, including Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander, and Claire Valdez, campaigned on issues such as abolishing ICE, condemning Israel's war in Gaza as genocide, and taxing the rich. The outcome signals growing influence for the left wing of the Democratic Party ahead of the November midterm elections, despite Jeffries downplaying the impact. Meanwhile, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, lost his primary bid for an open seat.
Fortune | FORTUNEMamdani-Backed Candidates Sweep New York City Congressional Primaries, Oust Two Incumbents
In primary elections across four states (New York, Maryland, South Carolina, Utah) on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed candidates swept all three Democratic congressional primaries in NYC, defeating incumbents Dan Goldman (10th District) and Adriano Espaillat (13th District), and winning the open 7th District seat. The victories signal a leftward shift in the city's politics, with Israel policy a central issue. In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Rep. April McClain Delaney won her primary against wealthy challenger David Trone, and state Del. Adrian Boafo won the 5th District primary to succeed Steny Hoyer. In South Carolina, Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican gubernatorial nomination. In Utah, former Rep. Ben McAdams won the Democratic primary in a redrawn district. First-time candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier celebrated her defeat of Espaillat as an end to 'the politics of the past.'
Fortune | FORTUNEMamdani and DSA Score Three Congressional Primary Victories in New York
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) achieved a major political victory on June 23, 2026, as three insurgent congressional candidates won Democratic primaries in New York City. Brad Lander defeated incumbent Dan Goldman in the 10th District, while Claire Valdez beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated longtime incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District. The results signal the enduring strength of the leftist political movement Mamdani helped launch. Key factors included candidates' strong stances on Palestinian rights, opposition to AIPAC influence, and the DSA's grassroots organizing. Espaillat's allies reportedly made racial attacks against Avila Chevalier, falsely claiming she was Haitian to exploit anti-Haitian sentiment. The victories represent a significant challenge to New York's traditional Democratic establishment.
Article | The NationMamdani and DSA Score Major Primary Victories, Proving Staying Power of NYC Leftist Movement
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) achieved a stunning trio of primary victories in June 2026, with insurgent candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier defeating established Democratic incumbents. Lander defeated Representative Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District. Valdez unseated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Avila Chevalier beat ten-term incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District. The victories signal the enduring strength of the leftist political movement that brought Mamdani to office, challenging New York City's traditional Democratic establishment. Key factors included strong DSA organizing, backlash against incumbent support for Israel and AIPAC ties, and younger voter mobilization around Palestinian rights. Avila Chevalier's win was particularly notable as a first-time candidate with no prior political experience.
Article | The NationMamdani and DSA Score Stunning Trio of Congressional Primary Victories in New York City
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) achieved a major political victory as three insurgent congressional candidates—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—won their Democratic primaries, defeating incumbents Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, as well as Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The results, seen as a seismic shift in NYC politics, demonstrated the enduring power of the leftist movement that propelled Mamdani to the mayoralty. Key factors included strong DSA organizing, backlash against pro-Israel incumbents, and support for Palestinian rights. The victories signal a growing challenge to the traditional Democratic establishment in the city.
Article | The NationMamdani's DSA-Endorsed Candidates Win New York Primaries, Challenging Democratic Establishment
In New York's 2026 congressional primaries, three Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated established incumbents and party-backed rivals. The most notable win was Darializa Avila Chevalier in NY-13, who unseated long-time incumbent Adriano Espaillat despite Mamdani's earlier pledge to support Espaillat. Another victory came in the Brooklyn district previously held by Nydia Velázquez, where DSA member Claire Valdez beat the borough president and union-backed candidate Antonio Reynoso. The results signal a sharp leftward shift within the New York Democratic Party, fracturing alliances with labor unions, Hispanic leaders, and pro-Israel factions. The article highlights the growing influence of Mayor Mamdani and the DSA as they position themselves as the dominant progressive force in the party ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
City JournalMamdani's Socialists Poised to Storm the House
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) achieved significant primary victories in New York congressional races on June 24, 2026, defeating established Democratic incumbents and their allies. Mamdani endorsed three DSA-aligned candidates, including Darializa Avila Chevalier in NY-13 against longtime Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and Claire Valdez against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, the chosen successor of retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Despite breaking previous pledges and alienating labor unions, the Hispanic Caucus, and pro-Israel Democrats, the gambit succeeded, showcasing the DSA's growing power within the Democratic Party. The article argues this should jolt a complacent Democratic establishment, as Mamdani's machine demonstrated its ability to elevate relatively unknown radical candidates over established figures.
City JournalMamdani-backed leftist candidates sweep NYC Democratic primaries
In the New York City Democratic primaries, all three candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their races, including two who unseated incumbents. Doctoral student Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District, state assembly member Claire Valdez won the 7th District, and Brad Lander unseated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District. Elsewhere, more moderate Democrats won in New York's 17th District, Utah's 1st District, and Maryland's 5th District. In Republican primaries, President Trump's candidates won two upstate New York races, but in South Carolina's GOP gubernatorial runoff, his original pick Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette lost to Attorney General Alan Wilson. The results double the number of democratic socialists in the House to four, which is expected to push the Democratic caucus leftward and create challenges for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
TheWeek feedMamdani-backed leftist candidates sweep NYC Democratic primaries
In New York City Democratic primaries, all three leftist candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their races, including two that unseated incumbents. Doctoral student Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District, state assembly member Claire Valdez won the 7th District race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and Brad Lander unseated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District. More moderate Democrats succeeded elsewhere: Army veteran Cait Conley in New York's 17th District, former Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah's 1st, and state legislator Adrian Boafo in Maryland's 5th. In upstate New York Republican primaries, President Trump's candidates won. In South Carolina's GOP gubernatorial runoff, Trump's original pick lost to Attorney General Alan Wilson, whom Trump co-endorsed. The doubling of democratic socialists in the House to four is expected to push the Democratic caucus leftward and create challenges for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
TheWeek feedSocialist-Backed Candidates Sweep New York Primary Races
The article reports on a series of Democratic primary victories in New York City by candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Key wins include state Assembly Member Claire Valdez defeating Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez's seat, and political newcomer Darializa Avila Chevalier, a pro-Palestinian activist, unseating incumbent U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Former city comptroller Brad Lander also defeated U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman by running to his political left, with the Gaza war a central issue. The author criticizes the DSA's claim to represent the working class, citing data that their voters are not predominantly working-class. The article raises concerns about the governing stability of the Democratic coalition, as these new congressmembers may not support House Speaker hopeful Hakeem Jeffries, and questions whether the new members can moderate on key issues like Israel, housing, and immigration.
Reason.comMAGA Figures React Angrily After Pro-Palestinian Candidates Win New York Democratic Primaries
Allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani swept the region's Democratic House primaries on Tuesday, with Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez winning their races. All three are vocal critics of Israel's actions in Gaza. The victories sparked outrage among MAGA-aligned figures. Stephen Miller on Fox News accused the Democratic Party of adopting 'radical, revolutionary, and violent ideology.' Laura Lander called Mamdani a 'jihadi' and urged Trump to act. Meghan McCain expressed solidarity with Jewish Americans. President Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the winners 'Communists' and claiming such states 'will ONLY GET WORSE.' Notable wins include Lander defeating Representative Dan Goldman, Chevalier defeating Representative Adriano Espaillat, and Valdez winning the seat held by outgoing Representative Nydia Velazquez.
The New Republic