New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani strengthened his influence within Democratic politics Tuesday after all three congressional candidates he endorsed won their primary races, delivering a major victory for the city’s growing democratic socialist movement.The results marked a significant test of Mamdani’s political clout following his rise to prominence in New York politics.His endorsed candidates scored victories in several closely watched House races, defeating establishment-backed opponents and reshaping the political landscape ahead of November’s general election.
Among the night’s biggest upsets were victories by Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier.Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., while Avila Chevalier unseated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y.In New York’s open 7th Congressional District, Democratic Socialist candidate Claire Valdez also prevailed despite outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez backing a different candidate in the race.The victories completed a clean sweep for Mamdani’s slate of endorsed candidates.Following Valdez’s win, Mamdani appeared at a celebration event where he addressed supporters.
“The old politics that got us into this crisis is not the politics that’s going to get us out of this crisis,” Mamdani told the crowd.The mayor’s decision to intervene aggressively in congressional primaries was viewed by many political observers as a gamble.Instead, the outcome reinforced his standing as one of the most influential figures in New York Democratic politics.With the districts expected to remain safely Democratic in November, the primary winners are widely viewed as strong favorites to join Congress next year.The results also expanded the presence of democratic socialist-aligned lawmakers within New York’s congressional delegation.
As noted by Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, here’s a breakdown of the three socialists:Darializa Avila Chevalier (NY-13): Abolish prisons, abolish ICE, abolish borders, defund the police, and “all deportations are wrong”, including for violent criminals. She has called the U.S. an “effing disgrace”, and said in a prior social media post “I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me.”
Claire Valdez (NY-7): Grant citizenship and voting rights to illegal aliens, use taxpayer funds for all transgender treatments, & eliminate private health insurance.
Brad Lander (NY-10): Abolish ICE, forgive all student loans (almost $2 trillion worth), expand the Supreme Court.
The district is considered safely Democratic, making Lasher the overwhelming favorite heading into the general election.
The broader significance of Tuesday’s results quickly became the focus of political commentary from both parties.
Republicans argued the victories reflected a larger shift within the Democratic Party toward its progressive wing.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., claimed the results demonstrated growing influence from Mamdani and other left-wing figures.
“Tonight’s results in New York City prove one thing,” Lawler wrote on X.
“The Democrat party has officially become the party of Zohran, AOC, & Bernie,” he added.
Conservative commentators echoed similar concerns.
Several argued the victories could provide Republicans with a clearer target as they seek to define Democrats heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.
Jason Rantz suggested on CNN that Republicans would use the results to portray democratic socialism as the party’s dominant ideology.
“Republicans are very obviously going to take advantage of this, and it’s going to hurt the Democrats nationwide,” Rantz said.
Others pointed to similar progressive victories in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as evidence of a broader trend.
Supporters of Mamdani and the democratic socialist movement viewed the results differently.
The races also highlighted ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party between establishment figures and progressive activists.
