Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor who has become a kingmaker in Democratic politics, saw his political magic confirmed on Tuesday as three candidates he endorsed won their Democratic primaries for the US House of Representatives. The victories, which included two fellow democratic socialists, dealt a blow to the party establishment and underscored a growing appetite for progressive policies in America's largest city.
Three Key Victories
Most dramatically, Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, lost his reelection bid to Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist and doctoral student who had never held public office. Chevalier once wrote "Fuck Kamala Harris" on social media, reflecting the anti-establishment fervor of her campaign. In the primary for retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez's seat, state assembly member Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso. Valdez was endorsed by Mamdani, while Velázquez backed Reynoso.
A third Mamdani-backed candidate, former city comptroller Brad Lander, defeated Congressman Dan Goldman in a landslide by running to his left. Lander criticized the support Goldman received from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) and promised to sponsor legislation restricting military aid to Israel. All three victors are expected to win their safely blue districts in November, sending three Mamdani allies to Congress next January.
Mamdani's Calculated Risk
Mamdani took a significant risk by intervening in these congressional races, alienating some Black and Latino Democrats and trade unions along the way. But the payoff was substantial. "It was a question of electing better Democrats who would put working people back at the heart of politics," Mamdani had said. The results demonstrated that his brand of democratic socialism resonates with voters hungry for change.
According to a Gallup survey last year, only 42% of Democrats view capitalism favorably, while 66% have a positive view of socialism. This shift reflects broader trends: socialism is no longer a dirty word, criticism of Israel is no longer taboo, and dissatisfaction with Democratic leaders in the Donald Trump era runs deep. Voters are asking why Democrats cannot craft a bold agenda like the Republican Project 2025, promising universal healthcare, Supreme Court reform, massive climate investments, and a clear-eyed approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Broader Implications for the Democratic Party
Van Jones, a political commentator and former Obama administration official, told CNN: "This is a battle between the establishment and this insurgency. And the roof is collapsing on the Democratic party establishment tonight. This is no longer a movement; this is a movement and a machine at the same time." The victories in New York came after democratic socialist mayoral candidates won the Democratic primary in Washington DC and made the runoff in Los Angeles.
Many voters were incensed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris's backing of Israel's war in Gaza, which resulted in more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths after a Hamas-led attack in 2023. Some were frustrated by a Democratic National Committee election autopsy that pulled punches and failed to mention Gaza at all. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New Yorkers and staunch Israel supporters, faced skepticism from voters. Jeffries had supported Espaillat and Goldman on Tuesday, but voters delivered a rebuke reminiscent of the Tea Party that once shook Republicans.
Consolations for the Establishment
There were some consolations for the establishment. Victories for moderates Ben McAdams in Utah and Cait Conley in the New York suburbs were reminders that the House majority will be decided in swing districts in November. Democrats hope their divisions will be papered over by fierce anti-Trump sentiment. But once the midterms are done, Mamdani and his allies will be a powerful force in determining the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028, potentially boosting the progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Exactly 12 months after Mamdani beat Andrew Cuomo in his own Democratic primary, putting him on course to win the mayoralty, he told supporters on Tuesday: "A year ago, it was not the end of a political movement. It was the beginning."
