Three candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their Democratic primary races Tuesday night, signaling the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in local politics.
The candidates - Darializa Avila Chevalier in the 13th Congressional District, Brad Lander in the 10th Congressional District and Claire Valdez in the 7th Congressional District - all secured Democratic nominations.
All three candidates are current or former members of the Democratic Socialists of America and have spoken about issues including abolishing ICE and restricting aid to Israel.
Mamdani said the election results show voters are looking for a different approach to politics.
"New Yorkers are hungry for a new kind of politics. They are hungry for a politics that understands working people should be at the heart of it," Mamdani said.
In the 13th District, Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District. In the 7th District, Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who had been backed by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who endorsed some of the losing candidates, downplayed concerns that the results could create divisions within the Democratic Party ahead of November's elections.
"We speak for many voices. That's the beauty of the Democratic Party. We're not beholden to one voice of [President] Donald Trump. We're not in lockstep with his MAGA agenda," Hochul said.
Political analyst Christopher Malone said the results demonstrate the Democratic Socialists of America can generate voter turnout and electoral success even when Mamdani is not on the ballot.
Malone said the races could also increase attention on House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose role includes helping incumbents win reelection.
