House Democrats faced a turbulent night in New York after two sitting lawmakers lost their primaries to progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman by a wide margin in New York's 10th Congressional District, while democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in the 13th District. In Brooklyn, New York Assembly member Claire Valdez won the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
Axios detailed that the results stunned many House Democrats and prompted concern among moderate lawmakers over the growing strength of democratic socialist candidates. Several lawmakers privately described the outcome as a major setback for the party establishment.
Lander, Avila Chevalier and Valdez all received endorsements from Mamdani, whose political influence has expanded since his election as New York City mayor. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had backed Goldman and Espaillat and had signaled support for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the race for Velázquez's seat.
The contests also unfolded against the backdrop of continuing divisions within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. policy in the Middle East. Several candidates and their supporters criticized the role of pro-Israel lobbying groups, while debates over the war in Gaza became part of the broader ideological struggle inside the party. The Guardian noted that Lander and Avila Chevalier campaigned on progressive priorities and spoke critically about Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Progressive lawmakers celebrated the results. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, told Axios that progressive enthusiasm remained strong and said Mamdani's endorsement operation played a significant role in the victories. Rep. Ro Khanna said the party's energy was clearly on the left.
Moderate Democrats, in turn, offered a somber assessment. Rep. Tom Suozzi, co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios that centrists needed to organize more effectively and address issues such as economic insecurity, climate change and immigration. Another House Democrat, speaking anonymously, told the outlet that party leaders could not afford to underestimate democratic socialist challengers.
Espaillat's defeat came as a surprise to some Democrats, as party officials and lawmakers had expected him to survive because of low turnout.
Some establishment Democrats pointed to victories by centrist candidates elsewhere as bright spots. Cait Conley won a primary in the New York suburbs, while former Rep. Ben McAdams secured a victory in Utah.
