Progressive Candidates Backed by Mamdani Triumph in NY Primaries

WHO:

ABC News - New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three congressional candidates.

ABC News - The endorsed candidates include state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, former city comptroller Brad Lander, and community advocate Darializa Avila Chevalier.

NBC News Politics - Mamdani is a key figure in the democratic socialist movement in New York City.

ABC News - U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman was defeated by Brad Lander.

ABC News - U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat faced a challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier.

ABC News - Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is running for a congressional seat.

WHAT:

ABC News - Mamdani's candidates won their primaries, ousting two incumbent Democratic congressmen.

ABC News - Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

ABC News - Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman.

ABC News - Darializa Avila Chevalier is projected to defeat Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

ABC News - Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo is projected to win the Democratic nomination for the 5th District.

ABC News - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is projected to win the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.

WHERE:

ABC News - The congressional primaries took place in New York.

ABC News - The 7th Congressional District includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

ABC News - The 10th Congressional District is in New York City.

ABC News - The 13th Congressional District is in upper Manhattan and the Bronx.

ABC News - The 5th District in Maryland is where Adrian Boafo is running.

ABC News - The Republican primary runoff is in South Carolina.

WHEN:

ABC News - The primaries occurred on a Tuesday.

ABC News - The general election is scheduled for November.

ABC News - The Democratic primary for governor in Maryland is also taking place.

WHY:

ABC News - Mamdani aims to reshape the Democratic Party by pushing it further left on key issues, including the war in Gaza.

ABC News - Mamdani stated, “It’s not just a question of electing more Democrats. It’s a question of electing better Democrats.”

HOW:

ABC News - Mamdani endorsed candidates who identify as democratic socialists and have pledged to “abolish ICE,” condemn actions in Israel, and “tax the rich.”

ABC News - Lander criticized Goldman for not being tough enough on Israel's military actions against Palestinians.

(UPDATED June 24, 2026 04:20 UTC)

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has endorsed three congressional candidates, including state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, former city comptroller Brad Lander, and community advocate Darializa Avila Chevalier, all of whom won their primaries by ousting incumbent Democratic congressmen. Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Lander took down U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, and Chevalier is projected to defeat Rep. Adriano Espaillat, reflecting Mamdani's push to reshape the Democratic Party further left on key issues. In Maryland, state Delegate Adrian Boafo is projected to win the Democratic nomination for the 5th District, while South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is expected to win the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.