Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates sweep NYC Democratic primaries, reshaping establishment

Candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani achieved a notable sweep in three Democratic congressional primaries held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, marking a significant shift within the party. These victories underscore Mamdani's growing influence and represent a substantial win for the democratic socialist movement over more establishment-backed Democrats in the state.

Among the successful candidates, Brad Lander, former New York City comptroller, unseated two-term incumbent Representative Dan Goldman in New York's 10th Congressional District. Additionally, Claire Valdez secured the nomination in the 7th Congressional District, which was an open race following the retirement of Representative Nydia Velázquez. In a significant upset, Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District.

These results are widely seen as a testament to the power of progressive politics in New York, with the winning candidates, who campaigned on left-leaning platforms, expected to prevail in the heavily Democratic districts during the November general election. The outcome signals potential ideological realignments and increased momentum for the left wing of the Democratic Party.