Mamdani slate sweeps Democratic primaries in New York
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement has attracted a lot of attention in three congressional primaries, where she has used her popularity to help replace two incumbent Democrats with left-wing challengers on issues like Israel and immigration.
Mamdani’s slate of candidates, with ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, bested incumbent Democrats in the district in a surprising victory for the 34-year-old mayor.
Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander beat outgoing Rep. Dan Goldman in a Lower Manhattan district, and Assemblywoman Claire Valdez beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the open seat vacated by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez. Activist Darializa Avila Chevalier narrowly defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a five-term congressman and chairman of the Hispanic Caucus.
All three are expected to win elections in November; That could potentially complicate House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ possible role as the next speaker if Democrats gain control of the House.
In addition to New York, Maryland and Utah also held primary elections on Tuesday, and South Carolina also held runoff elections.
Three candidates supported by Mamdani won the House primaries, increasing the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America, which now has several members of Congress, and expanding their influence on the left wing of the Democratic Party.
Mike Marinella, spokesman for the House Republicans’ campaign arm, called Tuesday “the night the Democratic establishment officially capitulated to Zohran Mamdani and the socialist wing of his party.”
New York Democrats have fielded war veteran and national security expert Cait Conley, a member of the “Hellcat” group of women veterans who is running to run against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th district, a swing district targeted by Democrats.
Lawler is considered the most vulnerable Republican in Congress and represents a district won by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, but Lawler has consistently performed well, twice winning a Democratic-leaning district.
Even though the current political climate favors Democrats nationally, Lawler will enter the general election with a $3 million cash advantage over Conley.
Assemblyman Micah Lasher defeated Assemblyman Alex Bores in a crowded primary election for the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District.
Kennedy’s son, Jack Schlossberg, was a distant third, ahead of George Conway, a former Republican lawyer who has criticized Trump and whose ex-wife served as an adviser to the president during Trump’s first term.
Lasher will be the overwhelming favorite to be elected to Congress in November.
Trump’s primary race for South Carolina governor lost Tuesday’s runoff. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Akşamte trailed Attorney General Alan Wilson by more than 30 points when the race was called about a half-hour after polls closed.
Yeste finished first in the first primary on June 9, but trailed Wilson by double digits in every runoff poll. Two of Trump’s endorsed gubernatorial candidates lost the Republican nomination this month in Iowa and Georgia. But Trump can still claim to support the winner in South Carolina.
Wilson is expected to be elected governor in November. He will face Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson in a state Trump carries by 18 points in 2024.
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