Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Jun 24: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani strengthened his growing influence within the Democratic Party after all three congressional candidates he endorsed secured victories in Democratic primary contests, dealing a setback to more established party figures.
The victories are being viewed as an early test of Mamdani's efforts to build a new progressive faction within the party, with several of his endorsed candidates prevailing over contenders backed by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and other mainstream Democrats.
"The old politics that got us into this crisis is notthe politics that's going to get us out of this crisis," Mamdani said while celebrating one of the victories.
Among the successful candidates were Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, all of whom campaigned on progressive platforms and advocated major reforms on issues including immigration and foreign policy.
Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated Congressman Dan Goldman in a race covering parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. During his victory speech, Lander criticised the influence of political action committees and big-money donors in Democratic politics.
Meanwhile, first-term assemblywoman Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in a contest for a seat being vacated by retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez.
Another closely watched race saw community organiser and doctoral student Darializa Avila Chevalier defeat Congressman Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, by a narrow margin.
Both Valdez and Avila Chevalier are members of the Democratic Socialists of America, reflecting the growing influence of democratic socialist candidates in urban Democratic strongholds.
Despite backing the defeated incumbents, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sought to minimise suggestions of a widening rift within the party.
"There are 215 members of the House Democratic caucus. A handful of primaries that go in one direction or another are not going to reshape who we are," Jeffries said.
However, several progressive activists interpreted the results as a rejection of the Democratic establishment and a sign of increasing support for left-wing candidates.
The primary elections also highlighted a broader generational shift within the Democratic Party.
In a race to succeed veteran Congressman Jerry Nadler, state assemblyman Micah Lasher defeated Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former US President John F. Kennedy. Schlossberg's famous family lineage attracted national attention during the campaign, but failed to translate into electoral success.
Elsewhere, former Congressman Ben McAdams emerged victorious in a Democratic primary for a newly created congressional district in Utah. He is expected to be the favourite in the general election for the seat, which political analysts consider strongly Democratic.
In South Carolina, President Donald Trump avoided a potential embarrassment in the Republican gubernatorial runoff by endorsing both remaining candidates.
Attorney General Alan Wilson ultimately secured victory and will face Democratic candidate Jermaine Johnson in the general election. Trump's decision to back both Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette came after some of his preferred candidates suffered defeats in recent state elections.
The latest primary results underscore ongoing ideological battles within both major US political parties as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.