Mamdani-Backed Socialists Sweep New York Democratic Congressional Primaries

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani emerged as a central power broker within the Democratic Party after his endorsed slate of candidates swept three congressional primaries on June 23, 2026. Former City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated Representative Dan Goldman in the 10th District, community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District, and State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez won the 7th District. The winners, many associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, campaigned on an affordability agenda, the abolition of ICE, and strong criticism of U.S. military support for Israel during the war in Gaza.

These victories dealt a blow to Democratic establishment figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Governor Kathy Hochul, whose endorsed candidates were defeated. While Jeffries downplayed the national impact, other moderate Democrats like Senator John Fetterman condemned the results as a rise of the dirtbag left. Conversely, Representative Ro Khanna hailed the results as a victory for the progressive wing, noting that the divide over Gaza will remain a central political conflict through 2028.

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the sweep as a rise of Marxism and communism in the United States. Other primary results included former Representative Ben McAdams winning a Democratic primary in a redrawn Utah district, and Attorney General Alan Wilson winning the Republican gubernatorial runoff in South Carolina after Trump shifted from a single to a dual endorsement of the candidates.