New York Democratic Party backed by Mamdani wins House primary

Three progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for House seats Tuesday night, defeating two incumbents.

Brad Lander, a former city comptroller, defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District, which includes lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat conceded to Mamdani supporter Dalializa Avila Chevalier in the primary for the 13th District, which includes upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.

And a third candidate supported by Mamdani, Claire Valdez, won the primary for the open House seat representing the 7th District, which includes neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. Incumbent Councilwoman Nydia Velasquez, who currently represents the district, is not seeking re-election.

The Democratic Socialists of America supported Mr. Chevalier and Mr. Valdez.

A year ago, thanks to DSA’s efforts, Mamdani defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary, shocking local and national political circles in the general election a few months later.

“This is not just a matter of electing more Democrats. It’s a matter of electing better Democrats,” Mamdani said Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

“When you look at these candidates, you see a desire within them to put workers back at the center of politics,” Mamdani said.

In another high-profile race to replace U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan’s 12th District, Mika Lasher defeated fellow state Rep. Alex Boas and a field of other candidates, including Jake Schlossberg, grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy.

Two political action committees affiliated with major artificial intelligence companies have poured a staggering $20 million into the race to support or oppose Boas’ candidacy.

Given the large number of Democratic voters, the winners of the four primaries are almost certain to win the November general election.