Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) lost his primary Tuesday to democratic socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Associated Press projects.Why it matters: It's a major blow to the Democratic Party establishment and underscores the liberal grassroots' growing frustration with party leaders.The race attracted national media attention and millions in outside spending in favor of both candidates.By the numbers: BOLD America, which received cash from both the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' super PAC and AIPAC's United Democracy Project, was the biggest spender in the race, putting $2.9 million into defending Espaillat, according to Federal Election Commission filings.CHC's BOLD PAC spent an additional $230,000, with Latino Victory Fund spending $750,000. Several other groups spent big in support of Epsaillat, including Progressive Unity Fund, Project 218 and United for Progress.The left-wing Justice Democrats put $1.5 million into supporting Avila Chevalier, with American Priorities — a super PAC founded to counter AIPAC — spending another $1.3 million.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three left-of-center candidates in the congressional Democratic primaries, and all three are set to win, CBS News projects.
House Democrats were left stunned on Tuesday night after two of their colleagues — including the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — lost primaries to left-wing challengers.Why it matters: The New York primary results are poised to double the number of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members in Congress, something that is not sitting well with some moderates."People who do not support the DSA wring their hands at cocktail parties, while the DSA is organizing," Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios.Another centrist House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis, called the results an "earthquake" and a "huge defeat" for Democratic leadership."It was a tough night," said Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), a close ally of leadership and the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, told Axios.Driving the news: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) lost reelection in a landslide to progressive former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who led by more than 30 percentage points as of late Tuesday night.Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the Hispanic Caucus chair, lost his primary more narrowly to democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, according to the Associated Press.In the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), democratic socialist State Assembly member Claire Valdez won a comfortable double-digit victory over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.Between the line: Lander, Avila Chevalier and Valdez were all backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Espaillat and Goldman.Jeffries also hinted at a preference for Reynoso on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters the Brooklyn Borough president was backed by "a coalition of very progressive Democrats ... and many of the unions that we've worked closely with."He also noted pointedly that it is "the most gentrified district in the nation, by far," a nod to moderate complaints that DSAers are propped up by young, white, well-educated transplants.What they're saying: "The progressive energy is clearly very high," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, told Axios.She added: "Clearly Mayor Mamdani's endorsement and turnout machine really does matter, as do candidates who are willing to stand up to AIPAC.""The progressives beat the establishment in the heart of NYC," said progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). "The energy of our party is clearly with the left."The other side: Suozzi said it is time for the Democrats' moderate wing to "wake up" to the threat posed to them by the democratic socialists."Economic insecurity, climate change and immigrant injustice are all real problems, and alternative solutions must be offered. It's time for a great deal of hard work to out organize the extremists on the right and the left!"The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously said the results show that "appeasement doesn't work. You have to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You can't win with these guys by playing patty cake."A senior House Democrat, asked if their colleagues were worried about the results, said: "Yes they are."The intrigue: While Goldman's loss was widely expected — "I feel terrible about Dan, but everyone predicted that one," said the senior House Democrat — Espaillat's race blindsided some members.Espaillat "sounded very confident" before the results came in on Tuesday night, another House Democrat told Axios, adding that "the low turnout led many to think Adriano would be ok."By the end of the night, however, there was "lots of silence" in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' text chat, this lawmaker said. What's next: Party leadership is looking to dust itself off and move on, with a source close to the Jeffries operation telling Axios he is laser-focused on winning back the House in November.Establishment Democrats looked to the primary victories of centrists like Cait Conley in the New York City suburbs and former Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah as the silver linings of the night.The bottom line: The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously predicted the sudden influx of democratic socialists will be a "migraine" for leadership come 2027."Calling it a headache is an understatement," the lawmaker said."Holy sh*t," said a second senior House Democrat. "Buckle up."
Democrat Cait Conley won the right to challenge Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on Tuesday night, winning a crowded House primary in New York‘s 17th Congressional District. Conley, an Army veteran, received 51.5% of the vote when the race was called at 9:44 p.m. She was competing against a field of four other candidates, but her […]
New York voters in four competitive districts selected Republican nominees Tuesday night to take on Democratic incumbents as the GOP tries to hold on to its razor-thin House majority. Due to several rounds of redistricting over the years, there are only a handful of competitive congressional districts in the state. Two of them are on […]
NBC News’ Steve Kornacki analyzes former City Comptroller Brad Lander’s projected win in the Democratic primary for New York's 10th Congressional District. Lander defeated Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman, making Goldman the fifth House incumbent to lose a primary in 2026.
New York State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who was backed by Communist New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, won the Democratic Primary for New York House District 7. The post 3 FOR 3: A Third Radical Anti-ICE Mamdani-Backed Democratic Socialist Claire Valdez Wins Open New York House Primary appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
New York is toast. The post Another One! Mamdani-Backed Socialist Candidate OUSTS Longtime Incumbent Democrat Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
The Zo-mentum is real. Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s far-left slate of Big Apple congressional hopefuls prevailed in Tuesday’s Democratic primary – with firebrand Darializa Avila Chevalier projected to pull off an AOC-style upset. Former city Comptroller Brad Lander and state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez were quickly projected by the Associated Press and NY1 to win over...