Three progressive candidates, endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, secured victories in Tuesday's Democratic primaries, signaling a notable shift in the state's political landscape and challenging the Democratic establishment. Darializa Avila Chevalier, State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, and former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander all won their races, positioning them for potential seats in Congress.
The victories are seen as a "clean sweep" by socialist and socialist-adjacent candidates, who defeated contenders supported by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other party leaders. The results have sent "shockwaves" through the Democratic Party, with analyses suggesting an identity crisis within the party.
Darializa Avila Chevalier
Darializa Avila Chevalier, 32, ousted five-term Democrat Adriano Espaillat from New York's 13th Congressional District. Chevalier, who holds a PhD candidacy at the City University of New York, has been involved in activism since her college years. She co-founded Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a group that faced criticism for controversial posts. Chevalier has also deleted past social media posts that were critical of prominent Democrats, including former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and has expressed anti-borders sentiments, advocating for the abolition of police and prisons. She has argued against the deportation of individuals, including those with criminal records.
State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez
Claire Valdez, who currently represents New York's 37th State Assembly District, is poised to enter the U.S. House of Representatives. Valdez, a member of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation, was endorsed by Justice Democrats, a group known for supporting progressive candidates. She has advocated for taxing the wealthy, protecting tenants, and empowering working people. Valdez has also been vocal about the conflict in Gaza, calling Israel's military actions a "genocide" and advocating for the U.S. to withhold funding from Israel. Additionally, she has called for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing it as a "fascist agency."
Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander
Brad Lander, who previously served as New York City's Comptroller and represented Brooklyn on the City Council, defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in New York's 10th Congressional District. Lander was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) until 2023. His platform includes opposing "Trump's fascism" and abolishing ICE. He has also addressed issues of systemic racism and advocated for budget cuts to the NYPD. In the past, Lander called for a halt to arrests and the release of inmates from Rikers Island, and supported reducing the NYPD's budget.
None of the winning candidates immediately responded to requests for comment following their primary victories.