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Mamdani-backed candidates shake up NYC primaries
It was a strong primary night for candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, with several incumbents facing tough results. Ben Max, director at New York Law School’s Center for New York City and State Law and host of the Max Politics podcast, joins FOX 5 to break down what the results say about the changing Democratic Party in New York. Max discusses Mamdani’s growing political influence, the rise of the party’s left wing, low turnout, challenges for establishment Democrats and what the results could mean for city and state politics going forward.
NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political influence was tested Tuesday in several closely watched Democratic House primaries, and his endorsed candidates delivered major wins.
Mamdani-backed candidates win key races
Candidates backed by Mamdani swept several Democratic congressional primaries in New York, according to The Associated Press.
The results included wins over two sitting members of Congress.
Darializa Avila Chevalier (Left) and Brad Lander (Right) [Photos: Getty Images]
RELATED: NY primary election results 2026: Winners, losers in Democratic and Republican races
Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who was serving his fifth term and leads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, a two-term incumbent.
Claire Valdez, a state Assembly member and Mamdani ally, also won her Democratic primary in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.
Why the results matter
The results marked a major victory for Mamdani, whose endorsements became a key storyline in New York’s congressional primaries.
AP described the wins as a "resounding show of force" for Mamdani as he tries to reshape Democratic politics in New York.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - MAY 01: New York Cityâs Mayor Zohran Mamdan speaks as workers from different industries gather at Washington Square Park for the May Day rally, and march to Foley Square, demanding workersâ rights, economic justice, world pe …
The races also highlighted tensions between progressive candidates and establishment-backed Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who campaigned against Mamdani’s candidates.
Mamdani celebrated the results Tuesday night, telling supporters that his mayoral win had helped start a broader movement.
"We are showing there is a new path for politics in our city and in our country," Mamdani said, according to AP.
Who lost
Espaillat’s loss was one of the biggest upsets of the night.
He was the first Dominican American elected to Congress and had represented parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx for nearly a decade.
Representative Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat from New York, during a news conference to commemorate fourteen years of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The Department …
Goldman, who represented parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, also lost after facing criticism from Lander over his stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.
The race to succeed Velazquez in parts of Brooklyn and Queens also became a test of Mamdani’s influence. Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who had Velazquez’s endorsement but did not receive Mamdani’s backing.
What the candidates campaigned on
The Mamdani-backed candidates ran on progressive platforms focused on affordability, Israel’s war in Gaza, immigration enforcement and taxes.
According to AP, all three candidates promised to "abolish ICE," condemned Israel’s war in Gaza as genocide and vowed to "tax the rich" if elected.
Lander, during his celebration speech, also called for abolishing the federal immigration enforcement agency and criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Jack Schlossberg loses in crowded primary
Another closely watched New York race involved Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy.
Schlossberg ran in the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, but he lost in a crowded field.
Mamdani did not make an endorsement in that race.
State Assembly member Micah Lasher won the primary, according to AP.
A Republican race upstate
AP also reported that Anthony Constantino, the head of Sticker Mule, won the Republican primary in New York’s 21st Congressional District.
MAYFIELD, NY - JUNE 23: Anthony Constantino speaks to supporters while awaiting results from the polls on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Lanzi's on the Lake in Mayfield, NY. Constantino is running a Republican Party primary against Assemblyman Robert Smu …
The seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Constantino, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated state Assembly member Robert Smullen.
What's next:
The primary results set up the next phase of New York’s 2026 congressional races ahead of the general election.
They also give Mamdani and his allies a larger platform as Democrats debate the direction of the party before the midterms.
The Source: This article was written using information from The Associated Press.