New York Primary Results Signal Shift in Democratic Party

Three DSA-backed candidates defeated incumbents or won open seats, highlighting the growing political influence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and progressive factions.

Voters in New York participated in primary elections on June 23, 2026, to select Democratic and Republican nominees for several U.S. House of Representatives districts. The results signal the growing political influence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), as three candidates they endorsed defeated two Democratic incumbents and won an open seat.

The outcomes are expected to shape the Democratic Party's internal dynamics and could influence control of the House in the November general election.

Key Results

10th Congressional District (Manhattan/Brooklyn)

Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman by a margin of 65.7% to 34.1%, according to NBC News projections.

Lander, endorsed by Mayor Mamdani, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), ran as a strong critic of the Trump administration and Israel's military actions in Gaza, which he described as a "genocide." He pledged to co-sponsor legislation restricting U.S. military aid to Israel.

Goldman, a two-term incumbent and lead counsel in President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial, emphasized his congressional productivity. He was endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC.

The district is considered safely Democratic in the general election.

13th Congressional District (Upper Manhattan/Bronx)

Educator and immigrant rights activist Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Avila Chevalier, endorsed by the DSA and Mayor Mamdani, ran a campaign critical of Israeli policy. Espaillat, who chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, highlighted his experience and criticized Avila Chevalier's past social media posts.

The district is considered heavily Democratic.

7th Congressional District (Brooklyn/Queens)

Assemblywoman Claire Valdez won the open primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Valdez, endorsed by the DSA and Mayor Mamdani, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, whom Velázquez had preferred as her replacement.

The district is considered heavily Democratic.

17th Congressional District (Hudson Valley)

Cait Conley won the Democratic primary in this competitive district, currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the general election and a key target for Democrats seeking to regain a House majority.

12th Congressional District (Manhattan)

Assemblyman Micah Lasher won the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. Lasher was endorsed by Nadler, Gov. Hochul, and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

He faced a crowded field including Assemblyman Alex Bores, former Republican attorney George Conway, and Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy. Super PACs linked to AI companies spent significant sums in this race, with groups tied to OpenAI opposing Bores and groups tied to Anthropic and a crypto billionaire supporting him.

Other Notable Races

• New York's 21st District (Upstate): In the Republican primary to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump-backed businessman Anthony Constantino faces Assemblymember Robert Smullen, who has the state Republican Party's backing.
• Maryland's 6th District: Former Rep. David Trone, who has self-funded over $25 million, is challenging Rep. April McClain Delaney.
• Utah's 2nd District: Trump-pardoned former state Rep. Phil Lyman challenges Rep. Celeste Maloy.
• South Carolina Governor's Race: President Trump endorsed both Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson in the Republican runoff.

Key Issues and Framing

Mayor Mamdani's Influence

Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three House candidates—Lander, Avila Chevalier, and Valdez—all of whom won their primaries. Mamdani hosted a rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders and framed the races as a test of his political movement. Critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and some Democratic incumbents, expressed concerns about his approach and its effect on party unity.

Israel Policy

Divisions over U.S. support for Israel and its military campaign in Gaza were central to multiple races. Candidates critical of Israeli policy, such as Lander and Avila Chevalier, won against opponents who defended Israel or received support from AIPAC.

Lander stated he is a "liberal Zionist" and supports a coalition including anti-Zionists and liberal Zionists. Goldman, who is Jewish, described himself as a "proud Zionist" and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government but also supported Israel.

Democratic Socialist Momentum

The DSA framed the victories as evidence of growing support for its platform, including progressive economic policies and criticism of Israel. DSA-backed candidates also won primaries in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles earlier in the year.

Republicans criticized the outcomes, stating the Democratic Party is aligning with socialist factions.

Tech and AI Influence

In the 12th District, the involvement of super PACs linked to AI companies drew attention. A PAC tied to OpenAI opposed Alex Bores, while groups linked to Anthropic supported him. Bores, who co-sponsored an AI safety law, lost the primary and criticized the influence of wealthy tech figures.

Voter Impact

Polls opened at 6:00 AM ET and closed at 9:00 PM ET. Early voting ran from June 13 to June 21. Turnout and final vote counts are pending certification by the New York State Board of Elections. The general election is scheduled for November 2026.