House Speaker Mike Johnson is drawing attention to recent primary election outcomes in New York, characterizing them as a "civil war" within the Democratic Party. Johnson, campaigning for Republicans in Virginia, stated that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has experienced setbacks in his home state due to the rise of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
During a campaign stop in Virginia Beach, Johnson specifically mentioned Jeffries, suggesting the Democratic leader lost support in his "own backyard" as a slate of candidates backed by figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member, defeated establishment-approved contenders. These losses included incumbent House Democrats.
One notable race cited by Johnson was in New York's 13th Congressional District, where socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier reportedly defeated Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Espaillat was among the candidates endorsed by Jeffries. Another race mentioned involved former DSA member Brad Lander, who defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District, also an incumbent endorsed by Jeffries.
Johnson also referenced a race for a House seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, where socialist Claire Valdez, a Mamdani-backed candidate, won. While Jeffries did not endorse in this specific race, Velázquez's preferred successor lost.
These electoral developments are viewed by Johnson as a microcosm of a broader ideological struggle within the Democratic Party between its establishment wing and a more progressive or socialist faction. Johnson suggested that the party is "rudderless" and that "open Marxists" are gaining ground.
He articulated concerns about the platforms of some of these candidates, referencing DSA positions that include abolishing borders, prisons, and the U.S. Senate, and expanding the House to create a unicameral governing body. Johnson suggested this indicates a strategy to eventually gain significant control within Congress.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Jeffries directed inquiries to his recent appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." In that interview, Jeffries expressed confidence that House Democrats would regain the majority in the upcoming elections, stating, "I expect that there will be at least 220 members of the House Democratic Caucus when we take back the majority, if not a number much greater than that." He affirmed the caucus's commitment to addressing economic issues. The events in New York have become a point of emphasis for Republicans as they seek to retain their narrow majority in the House of Representatives.