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Socialist-backed candidates endorsed by Zohran Mamdani sweep New York primaries

Socialist-backed candidates endorsed by Zohran Mamdani sweep New York primaries
5 articles·5 sources·updated about 3 hours ago·View in graph
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New York’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Tuesday as socialist-backed candidates, endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, secured decisive victories in three Democratic primaries, doubling the number of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members in Congress and sending shockwaves through the party’s establishment. The results, described by one senior House Democrat as a “huge defeat,” underscore the growing influence of Mamdani’s left-wing coalition ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a prominent centrist, lost his reelection bid in a landslide to progressive former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who led by over 30 percentage points. In another upset, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, was narrowly defeated by democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier. Meanwhile, democratic socialist State Assembly member Claire Valdez triumphed over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.). All three victors were backed by Mamdani, whose endorsement and turnout operation were credited with driving the progressive wave.

The victories, which Axios described as an “earthquake,” will increase the DSA’s congressional delegation from two to four members, a development that has unsettled moderate Democrats. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, warned that the party’s moderate wing must “wake up” to the threat posed by democratic socialists, while another anonymous centrist House Democrat called the results a “migraine” for leadership come 2027. “Calling it a headache is an understatement,” the lawmaker said. “Holy sh*t. Buckle up.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) had endorsed Espaillat and Goldman, but his preferred candidates fell short. Jeffries had also signaled support for Reynoso, arguing he was backed by a coalition of progressive Democrats and unions, though the Brooklyn Borough president was ultimately outmaneuvered by Valdez’s socialist base. Progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), celebrated the results as evidence of the party’s leftward shift. “The progressives beat the establishment in the heart of NYC,” Khanna said. “The energy of our party is clearly with the left.”

The outcomes have left establishment Democrats scrambling. While some pointed to centrist victories in New York City suburbs and Utah as silver linings, the broader trend has alarmed party leaders focused on winning back the House in November. A source close to Jeffries’ operation told Axios he remains “laser-focused” on the midterms, but the primary results have exposed deep divisions within the party. As one senior House Democrat put it: “Yes, they are worried.”

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"Huge defeat": Democrats left reeling after socialist "earthquake" in New York House Democrats were left stunned on Tuesday night after two of their colleagues — including the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — lost primaries to left-wing challengers.Why it matters: The New York primary results are poised to double the number of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members in Congress, something that is not sitting well with some moderates."People who do not support the DSA wring their hands at cocktail parties, while the DSA is organizing," Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios.Another centrist House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis, called the results an "earthquake" and a "huge defeat" for Democratic leadership."It was a tough night," said Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), a close ally of leadership and the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, told Axios.Driving the news: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) lost reelection in a landslide to progressive former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who led by more than 30 percentage points as of late Tuesday night.Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the Hispanic Caucus chair, lost his primary more narrowly to democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, according to the Associated Press.In the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), democratic socialist State Assembly member Claire Valdez won a comfortable double-digit victory over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.Between the line: Lander, Avila Chevalier and Valdez were all backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Espaillat and Goldman.Jeffries also hinted at a preference for Reynoso on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters the Brooklyn Borough president was backed by "a coalition of very progressive Democrats ... and many of the unions that weve worked closely with."He also noted pointedly that it is "the most gentrified district in the nation, by far," a nod to moderate complaints that DSAers are propped up by young, white, well-educated transplants.What theyre saying: "The progressive energy is clearly very high," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, told Axios.She added: "Clearly Mayor Mamdanis endorsement and turnout machine really does matter, as do candidates who are willing to stand up to AIPAC.""The progressives beat the establishment in the heart of NYC," said progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). "The energy of our party is clearly with the left."The other side: Suozzi said it is time for the Democrats moderate wing to "wake up" to the threat posed to them by the democratic socialists."Economic insecurity, climate change and immigrant injustice are all real problems, and alternative solutions must be offered. Its time for a great deal of hard work to out organize the extremists on the right and the left!"The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously said the results show that "appeasement doesnt work. You have to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You cant win with these guys by playing patty cake."A senior House Democrat, asked if their colleagues were worried about the results, said: "Yes they are."The intrigue: While Goldmans loss was widely expected — "I feel terrible about Dan, but everyone predicted that one," said the senior House Democrat — Espaillats race blindsided some members.Espaillat "sounded very confident" before the results came in on Tuesday night, another House Democrat told Axios, adding that "the low turnout led many to think Adriano would be ok."By the end of the night, however, there was "lots of silence" in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus text chat, this lawmaker said. Whats next: Party leadership is looking to dust itself off and move on, with a source close to the Jeffries operation telling Axios he is laser-focused on winning back the House in November.Establishment Democrats looked to the primary victories of centrists like Cait Conley in the New York City suburbs and former Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah as the silver linings of the night.The bottom line: The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously predicted the sudden influx of democratic socialists will be a "migraine" for leadership come 2027."Calling it a headache is an understatement," the lawmaker said."Holy sh*t," said a second senior House Democrat. "Buckle up."

"Huge defeat": Democrats left reeling after socialist "earthquake" in New York House Democrats were left stunned on Tuesday night after two of their colleagues — including the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — lost primaries to left-wing challengers.Why it matters: The New York primary results are poised to double the number of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members in Congress, something that is not sitting well with some moderates."People who do not support the DSA wring their hands at cocktail parties, while the DSA is organizing," Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios.Another centrist House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis, called the results an "earthquake" and a "huge defeat" for Democratic leadership."It was a tough night," said Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), a close ally of leadership and the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, told Axios.Driving the news: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) lost reelection in a landslide to progressive former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who led by more than 30 percentage points as of late Tuesday night.Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the Hispanic Caucus chair, lost his primary more narrowly to democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, according to the Associated Press.In the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), democratic socialist State Assembly member Claire Valdez won a comfortable double-digit victory over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.Between the line: Lander, Avila Chevalier and Valdez were all backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Espaillat and Goldman.Jeffries also hinted at a preference for Reynoso on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters the Brooklyn Borough president was backed by "a coalition of very progressive Democrats ... and many of the unions that weve worked closely with."He also noted pointedly that it is "the most gentrified district in the nation, by far," a nod to moderate complaints that DSAers are propped up by young, white, well-educated transplants.What theyre saying: "The progressive energy is clearly very high," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, told Axios.She added: "Clearly Mayor Mamdanis endorsement and turnout machine really does matter, as do candidates who are willing to stand up to AIPAC.""The progressives beat the establishment in the heart of NYC," said progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). "The energy of our party is clearly with the left."The other side: Suozzi said it is time for the Democrats moderate wing to "wake up" to the threat posed to them by the democratic socialists."Economic insecurity, climate change and immigrant injustice are all real problems, and alternative solutions must be offered. Its time for a great deal of hard work to out organize the extremists on the right and the left!"The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously said the results show that "appeasement doesnt work. You have to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You cant win with these guys by playing patty cake."A senior House Democrat, asked if their colleagues were worried about the results, said: "Yes they are."The intrigue: While Goldmans loss was widely expected — "I feel terrible about Dan, but everyone predicted that one," said the senior House Democrat — Espaillats race blindsided some members.Espaillat "sounded very confident" before the results came in on Tuesday night, another House Democrat told Axios, adding that "the low turnout led many to think Adriano would be ok."By the end of the night, however, there was "lots of silence" in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus text chat, this lawmaker said. Whats next: Party leadership is looking to dust itself off and move on, with a source close to the Jeffries operation telling Axios he is laser-focused on winning back the House in November.Establishment Democrats looked to the primary victories of centrists like Cait Conley in the New York City suburbs and former Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah as the silver linings of the night.The bottom line: The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously predicted the sudden influx of democratic socialists will be a "migraine" for leadership come 2027."Calling it a headache is an understatement," the lawmaker said."Holy sh*t," said a second senior House Democrat. "Buckle up."

axios · about 3 hours ago

A New York, le maire Zohran Mamdani renforce son emprise après la victoire de trois de ses candidats lors des primaires démocrates Six mois après son arrivée à lhôtel de ville, plus populaire que jamais malgré un début de mandat difficile, la figure de laile gauche du parti continue de bousculer lestablishment démocrate avant les élections au Congrès.

A New York, le maire Zohran Mamdani renforce son emprise après la victoire de trois de ses candidats lors des primaires démocrates Six mois après son arrivée à lhôtel de ville, plus populaire que jamais malgré un début de mandat difficile, la figure de laile gauche du parti continue de bousculer lestablishment démocrate avant les élections au Congrès.

le monde · about 3 hours ago

Ingmar Nevéus: Trumplägret jublar när Mamdanis socialister vinner NEW YORK. En vänstervåg sveper över USA:s största stad. Socialistiska kandidater, påhejade av New Yorks borgmästare Zohran Mamdani, vann flera av Demokraternas primärval här på tisdagen. För Donald Trumps republikaner var det inget dåligt resultat.

Ingmar Nevéus: Trumplägret jublar när Mamdanis socialister vinner NEW YORK. En vänstervåg sveper över USA:s största stad. Socialistiska kandidater, påhejade av New Yorks borgmästare Zohran Mamdani, vann flera av Demokraternas primärval här på tisdagen. För Donald Trumps republikaner var det inget dåligt resultat.

dagens nyheter · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Demokratische Vorwahlen in New York: Mamdanis Risikospiel geht auf New Yorks linker Bürgermeister Zohran Mamdani hat sich im demokratischen Vorwahlkampf klar positioniert. Am Dienstag gewinnen seine KandidatInnen. mehr...

taz.de · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

+++ USA +++: Mamdani-Verbündete gewinnen mindestens zwei Vorwahlen der Demokraten Mamdani-Verbündete gewinnen mindestens zwei Vorwahlen der Demokraten +++ Trump und Meloni legen im Foto-Streit nach +++ Der Newsblog.

handelsblatt · about 4 hours ago