Politics 24 June 2026 Nile Post
Mamdani-Backed Progressives Sweep New York Primaries, Ousting Incumbent Dan Goldman
In a significant political shift, candidates endorsed by New York's progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani achieved a clean sweep in Tuesday's Democratic primary elections. This included the defeat of a two-term US Congressman implicated in the divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/351048/clean-sweep-for-mamdani-backed-candidates-in-new-yorks-democratic-primary
New York’s Democratic primary saw a decisive victory for candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, signaling a progressive surge within the party. Prominent among these wins was the ousting of US Congressman Dan Goldman in the 10th congressional district.
Goldman was defeated by progressive challenger Brad Lander, a contest that highlighted deep party rifts concerning the Israel-Gaza war. Lander, who has publicly accused Israel of genocide, secured a decisive win over Goldman, who had the support of pro-Israel groups.
Two other Mamdani-endorsed candidates also won their races. Assemblywoman Claire Valdez triumphed over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th district. In the 13th district, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student active in pro-Palestinian protests, unseated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Chevalier’s victory was celebrated by Mamdani as a win for “clarity, of conscience and of conviction.”
Lander’s victory, endorsed also by Senator Bernie Sanders, saw him garner 65.7% of the vote. He expressed that his win indicates a desire for “leadership ready to fight… against authoritarianism.” The results are being viewed as a test of Mamdani’s influence in shifting the Democratic party further left.
Goldman conceded the race, stating, “While this is not the outcome I worked so hard for, I respect their decision.” The wins by Lander, Valdez, and Chevalier, who all advocate for policies like “abolish ICE” and “tax the rich,” raise concerns among establishment Democrats about their appeal to swing voters in upcoming general elections. However, Mamdani sees these candidacies as a move to “put working people back at the heart of our politics.”