Mayor Backs Trio of Candidates, Securing Key Victories
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s strategic backing of progressive candidates yielded significant results Tuesday night, with two of his endorsed contenders securing early victories in congressional primaries. The mayor had invested considerable political capital in supporting a slate of democratic socialist candidates, aiming to shift the New York congressional delegation further leftward.
Lander Ousts Incumbent Goldman in Tight Race
In a notable upset, former city comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Democratic Representative Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District. The district, which covers Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, became a focal point for Mamdani’s efforts to unseat established Democrats. Lander, who had previously run against Mamdani in the mayoral race, received crucial support from the mayor in this bid.
The race between Goldman and Lander highlighted differing stances on the conflict in Gaza. Lander, who is Jewish, reportedly utilized Goldman’s pro-Israel position as a campaign issue, contrasting it with his own perspective on the situation. Goldman, also Jewish, had previously cited concerns about rising antisemitism when he did not endorse Mamdani in the mayoral election. Goldman, a former federal prosecutor and lead counsel in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, was first elected to Congress in 2022.
Valdez Wins Open Seat in Progressive District
Another significant win for the mayor’s agenda came with Claire Valdez’s victory in the race for New York’s 7th Congressional District. This open seat, replacing retiring Representative Nydia Velázquez, is located in a heavily Democratic area known for its progressive electorate. Valdez, a New York State Assembly member, had also been an early supporter of Mayor Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.
Valdez, who has served in the State Assembly since 2025, is of Mexican and Native American heritage and has a background as a union organizer and former low-wage worker. Her win was called by major news outlets shortly after polls closed, underscoring the swift outcome.
Third Endorsement Faces Stiff Competition
A third candidate endorsed by Mayor Mamdani, Darializa Avila Chevalier, was engaged in a closely contested race. Chevalier, a democratic socialist, was challenging incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan and the Bronx. Early returns indicated a tight contest in this race.
Chevalier, the daughter of Dominican immigrants, works as an investigator and is pursuing a doctorate. Her candidacy had been marked by scrutiny over past social media posts, including controversial statements regarding policing, immigration, and Israel’s right to exist. She has since apologized for these remarks. Representative Espaillat, the first Dominican American to serve in Congress and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, had publicly criticized Chevalier’s past statements, deeming them irresponsible for someone seeking federal office. Reports also emerged alleging racist comments made by one of Espaillat’s advisors regarding Chevalier and her ties to Mayor Mamdani.
The outcomes of these primaries suggest a growing influence of progressive politics within New York’s congressional delegation, bolstered by strategic endorsements from city leadership.
