All three Mamdani-endorsed candidates—a progressive and two democratic socialists—won their primaries against more established Democrats.
NEW YORK CITY—All three candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their closely-watched House primary races on Tuesday, handing the democratic socialist a victory in his bid to move his party more to the left.
On the job for fewer than six months, the mayor waded into three congressional primary races, backing democratic socialists and progressives against more established Democrats.
Mamdani-endorsed former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, whose seat spans lower Manhattan and part of Brooklyn.
In the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Mandami-endorsed Assemblymember Claire Valdez, a self-described democratic socialist, beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who was backed by Velázquez.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat, 71, was defeated by Mamdani-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier, 32, a democratic socialist.
Mamdani’s endorsements had put him at odds with other prominent New York Democrats. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Espaillat and campaigned alongside Goldman.
In these solidly blue districts, primary elections are highly competitive, with the Democratic contender expected to win easily in November.
Community Organizer Beats Rep. Espaillat
In an upset, PhD student and community organizer Chevalier beat out fellow Dominican, Congressman Espaillat. The district, which includes Harlem and parts of the Bronx, has been represented by Espaillat since 2017.
Chevalier received a significant boost when Mamdani announced his support for her candidacy in late May. Even so, in a debate just days before the primary, Chevalier faced pointed questions about past Twitter posts in which she attacked major Democratic party leaders, including former President Joe Biden (who she called “racist”), as well as cursing former Vice President Kamala Harris. She also called the United States “a[n expletive] disgrace,” and called for the end of the police.
Chevalier has been outspoken against Israel, criticizing Espaillat for accepting funds from the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC). Espaillat criticized her for attending a pro-Palestinian rally just one day after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Chevalier worked on the mayor’s campaign last year.
By Nicholas Zifcak and Jackson Richman
