Mayor Zohran Mamdani Backs Three Candidates for New York House Seats

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared in a 30-second television advertisement that first aired during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the end of the fourth quarter of a Knicks game. In the ad Mamdani said, "New York, we know anything is possible with a great team. This is the team.

The spot featured Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, three left-leaning candidates running for U.S. House seats in New York City in the 2026 midterm elections. Usa Today reported that the candidates are running on a platform that includes abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Democratic primary for the three congressional seats is scheduled for June 23, 2026. The districts are located in Manhattan and northern Brooklyn, with two in heavily Latino enclaves. Brad Lander is challenging Rep.

Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District. A May 21 Emerson College Polling/PIX 11 survey found Lander held a double-digit lead over Goldman. Lander has stated that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, while Goldman has declined to state that position.

Goldman won election to Congress in 2022. Espaillat has held the seat since 2017 and is endorsed by Gov.

Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. The district is half Latino and one-quarter Black according to Census data.

Nydia Velázquez announced plans to retire. Mamdani endorsed Valdez, while Velázquez, Councilmember Sandy Nurse and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz endorsed Reynoso. Velázquez stated that relationship with the community matters at the local level and that the challenging times require tested leadership.