New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored a clean sweep in three Democratic congressional primaries, with his endorsed candidates defeating party establishment favorites across the city.
The results from Tuesday’s contests gave wins to Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier. All three are running in heavily Democratic districts, putting them on track to enter Congress next year if they win their general elections.
Lander, a former city comptroller, defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in the lower Manhattan and western Brooklyn district. Goldman, a two-term congressman, became nationally known as lead counsel for House Democrats during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment.
The race turned partly on Israel and Gaza. Goldman has been a strong supporter of Israel, while Lander, who is Jewish, described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.” Lander and Mamdani had previously cross-endorsed each other during the mayoral race.
In another contest, Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for an open seat in Brooklyn and Queens. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who is retiring after 34 years in Congress, had backed Reynoso as her preferred successor.
Valdez, a Democratic Socialists of America member and state assembly member, was an early Mamdani ally. Both she and Reynoso criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza, but Valdez argued Reynoso did not do so early enough.
The sharpest upset came in a district covering parts of Manhattan and the Bronx, where Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a five-term incumbent and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Avila Chevalier, a DSA activist pursuing a doctorate in sociology, has taken positions well to the left of many national Democrats. She said last week that “all deportations are wrong.”
Espaillat and his supporters cast Avila Chevalier as a transplant who did not reflect longtime residents. The voters chose otherwise.
