New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, seeking to widen his influence, endorsed three radical ‘democrat’ socialist candidates for Congress in tomorrow’s primary elections. Progressives say that if they win New York City, they will be well on their way to winning the Democrat[ic] Party.
Two radicals are running against powerful Democratic Party incumbents. It is widely seen as a test for whether Mamdani’s influence extends beyond himself.
New York will play a key role in deciding control of the House, and it could be with radical progressives, but I repeat myself.
In New York City, competitive primaries in traditionally safe Democratic seats could help show party unity behind these very radical people.
ABC7 Disney News is in italics.
In the 10th Congressional District in Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman faces a strong challenge from former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who has endorsements from Mamdani and Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Goldman isn’t far left enough. He supports Israel and didn’t endorse Mamdani. Lander, while Jewish, will be Mamdani’s water boy.
The Theme: No Police or Prisons
In the 13th Congressional District in Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, five-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat faces three primary challengers, including doctoral student and political organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, who also has Mamdani’s backing.
The polls are mixed.
Darializa appears more like a revolutionary communist than one flying under the euphemistic title of democratic socialist. She is anti-police and wants police, especially ICE, and prisons abolished. She is anti-Israel and seemingly anti-Jews.
In the 7th Congressional District, which straddles Brooklyn and Queens, retiring 17-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez has endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, but he faces a tough race against state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who has endorsements from Mamdani and [communist] Sanders.
As New York City progressives go, so go the Democrats, says opinion writer Pasqueno at USA Today. “New York’s primary election on June 23 will decide whether Mamdani’s election was a fluke or a foghorn alerting the city to a deep blue wave – one that could in turn shape the nation,” says progressive Pasqueno.
Lander isn’t the only congressional candidate endorsed by Mamdani, and the odds are stacked against those running against the endorsed candidates.
They are also mixed in the 7th Congressional District, part of which The New York Times accurately called “The Commie Corridor” in 2025. Mamdani has endorsed state Assemblymember Claire Valdez over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. While Emerson College showed Valdez ahead of Reynoso, the margin was only 2 percentage points.
Free Palestine, abolish ICE, communist everything for all, that’s Claire Valdez:
New York Democrat Socialist Congressional candidate Claire Valdez lays out her radical agenda:
“So, are we ready to free Palestine, are we ready to Abolish ICE are we ready to win Medicare for all, housing for all, and unions for all?” pic.twitter.com/Gw2Neyvv6B
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 15, 2026
The USA Today opinion columnist is a progressive who hopes the Mamdani candidates win. She admitted that in parts of New York City, people fear Mamdani’s politics, so her far-left comrades are running ads saying they support Goldman. This way, they won’t vote for him.
The author also brags about how AOC is changing New York for the better, and she wants that for the country. Her name is Sara Pequeno, and she is typical of those who run the news.
