The New York City Democratic primaries on Tuesday saw Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsed candidates clinch a sweeping victory that may alter the political landscape of the city’s congressional delegation.
Brad Lander stands with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a watch party after winning the 10th District primary.
Progressive candidate Brad Lander defeated two‑term incumbent U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman 65.7% to 34.1%. Lander, who has endorsed allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, enjoyed backing from Mamdani and from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Goldman, who previously led Trump’s first impeachment inquiry, faced backlash from Jewish and pro‑Israel groups in the city.
In the 7th Congressional District, Assemblywoman Claire Valdez unseated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, while doctoral student‑turned‑politician Darializa Avila Chevalier bested Adriano Espaillat, a five‑term Representative and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Both challengers joined pro‑Palestinian protests at Columbia University and were praised by Mamdani for their clear convictions.
The mayor celebrated the victories, calling the supporters “a person of clarity, of conscience and of conviction” and framing the wins as evidence of a new “vision that is more than what we have seen for so long.”
Established Democrats noted that while the leftward shift energises progressive factions, it may alienate moderate swing voters, a concern that will play out in the upcoming November midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that a handful of primaries would not reshape the Democratic caucus nationally.
In NYC’s 12th District, Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former president John F. Kennedy, was defeated by Assembly Member Micah Lasher, and conservative lawyer George Conway captured only a small slice of the vote. Mamdani made no endorsement in that race.
These results reflect a markedly left‑leaning wave in New York primaries amid a contentious debate over the Israel‑Gaza war, raising questions about the future of the Democratic Party both locally and nationwide.
