Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-turned-kingmaker, saw his endorsed candidates sweep three Democratic primaries for the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, cementing his influence and pushing the city further left. The trio—Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, and Brad Lander—defeated establishment-backed incumbents or candidates, including Representative Adriano Espaillat and former federal prosecutor Dan Goldman.
Mamdani's candidates win decisively
The most dramatic outcome was Chevalier's victory over Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Chevalier, a democratic socialist who once wrote “Fuck Kamala Harris” on social media, had never held public office. In the primary for retiring Representative Nydia Velázquez's seat, Valdez beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Lander, former city comptroller, defeated Goldman in a landslide by running to his left, criticizing Goldman's support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) and promising to restrict military aid to Israel.
Mamdani had said the goal was to elect “better Democrats” who would “put working people back at the heart of politics.” All three are expected to win their safely blue districts in November, sending three allies to Congress next January.
A shift in Democratic politics
The results reflect broader trends: socialism is no longer stigmatized, criticism of Israel is acceptable, and dissatisfaction with Democratic leaders runs deep. A Gallup survey last year found only 42% of Democrats view capitalism favorably, while 66% view socialism positively. On Tuesday night, a crowd greeted Mamdani with chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “DSA!”—the Democratic Socialists of America.
Van Jones, a political commentator and former Obama official, told CNN: “This is a battle between the establishment and this insurgency. And the roof is collapsing on the Democratic party establishment tonight … This is no longer a movement; this is a movement and a machine at the same time.”
Establishment setbacks and future implications
There were some consolations for moderates, such as wins by Ben McAdams in Utah and Cait Conley in New York suburbs, but the overall message is clear. Many voters were incensed by Biden and Harris's support for Israel's war in Gaza, which resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths after a Hamas-led attack in 2023. Some were frustrated by a Democratic National Committee election autopsy that failed to mention Gaza. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New Yorkers and Israel supporters, faced skepticism; Jeffries backed Espaillat and Goldman on Tuesday but saw voters deliver a rebuke.
Mamdani's movement could shape the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee, potentially boosting progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Reflecting on his mayoral primary win over Andrew Cuomo a year ago, Mamdani told supporters: “A year ago, it was not the end of a political movement. It was the beginning.”
