New York Democratic primaries pit Mamdani-backed challengers against incumbents in at least two races

Democratic incumbents faced challenges from candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani in at least two New York congressional primaries held Tuesday. Mamdani, 34, who took office in January, endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier against Rep. Adriano Espaillat and supported a candidate running against Rep.

Dan Goldman, who faced former city Comptroller Brad Lander. He also backed state Assembly Member Claire Valdez. Mamdani said the races reflected a broader effort. “It’s not just a question of electing more Democrats.

It’s a question of electing better Democrats,” he said Tuesday. ” Two of the three candidates identify as democratic socialists, and all three have pledged to abolish ICE, condemned the “genocide” in Israel and called for higher taxes on the wealthy. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the outcomes would not alter the party’s direction.

“We have agreed to strongly disagree,” Jeffries said of Mamdani. “There are 215 members of the House Democratic caucus. ” In a separate Manhattan race for a seat vacated by a retiring representative, Democrat Jack Schlossberg, 33, the grandson of former President John F.

Kennedy, competed in a crowded field that included state Assembly members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores as well as George Conway. Mamdani made no endorsement in that contest. Espaillat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Chevalier once helped organize pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

Mamdani’s first six months in office have drawn praise from establishment Democrats and President Donald Trump.