Zohran Mamdani bet his political capital on Tuesday's Democratic primary elections in New York and won decisively. Three candidates he backed won their races for the U.S. House of Representatives, each defeating establishment-backed opponents. Two of the victors are democratic socialists. The results suggest the nation's largest city has lurched further left and that Mamdani's brand of politics transcends any single election cycle.
The most shocking upset came in a heavily Democratic district where Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and an incumbent, lost his reelection bid to Darializa Avila Chevalier, a first-time candidate and democratic socialist. Her social media history includes a profane post about Vice President Kamala Harris.
In another race, state assembly member Claire Valdez, backed by Mamdani, beat Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso for the seat of retiring congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. Reynoso had Velázquez's endorsement. A third victory came when former city comptroller Brad Lander demolished congressman Dan Goldman, a former federal prosecutor who led Trump's first impeachment inquiry, by campaigning to his left. Lander criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's support for Goldman and pledged to sponsor legislation restricting military aid to Israel.
All three winners are expected to prevail in November in safe Democratic districts, sending three Mamdani allies to Congress in January. The mayor's strategy to intervene directly in these primaries was bold. He alienated some Black and Latino Democrats and trade unions but achieved exactly what he set out to do: elect what he called "better Democrats" who would "put working people back at the heart of politics."
The victories reflect broader currents in American politics that have been building since Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign a decade ago. Socialism no longer carries the stigma it once did. A Gallup survey found that only 42 percent of Democrats view capitalism favorably while 66 percent hold a positive view of socialism. Criticism of Israel has become acceptable within Democratic circles, particularly after the Gaza war, which has killed over 73,000 Palestinians since the 2023 Hamas-led attack.
On election night, crowds chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "DSA," referencing the Democratic Socialists of America. Similar momentum appeared in other races. Democratic socialist mayoral candidates won the Democratic primary in Washington DC and advanced to the runoff in Los Angeles, signaling that this is not merely a New York phenomenon.
Voters sent a clear message: Democrats must stand for something substantive rather than opposition alone. Many express frustration with Congress, viewing it as lethargic against Republican advances, while state governors and mayors attract praise for their energy. The Gaza war divided Democrats and angered progressives, particularly the stance taken by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New Yorkers and strong Israel supporters.
Political commentator Van Jones told CNN that what happened Tuesday resembled the Tea Party wave that reshaped Republicans years earlier. "This is no longer a movement," he said. "This is a movement and a machine at the same time."
The establishment had some consolations. Moderate candidates Ben McAdams in Utah and Cait Conley in New York suburbs won their races, a reminder that House control in November will depend on swing districts where moderate appeals still matter. Democrats hope fierce anti-Trump sentiment will unite the party after primary battles.
But the long game favors Mamdani. Once the midterms conclude, he and his allies will wield significant power in shaping the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee. Progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, herself a New Yorker, could benefit from this realignment of party forces.
Exactly one year ago, Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo in his own Democratic primary on his way to winning the mayoralty. "A year ago, it was not the end of a political movement," he told supporters Tuesday night. "It was the beginning."
Author James Rodriguez: "Mamdani has transformed New York politics from the mayor's office, and these congressional results show he's building something that could reshape Democratic strategy for a generation."
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