In a significant turn of events during last night’s primaries, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s slate of progressive congressional candidates decisively defeated the Democratic establishment, although some disappointing results surfaced in other contests.
Mamdani’s Endorsees Dismantle the New York Democratic Establishment
Earlier this week, I discussed the Mayor’s daring endorsements, and the results affirm that he and the NYC Democratic Socialists of America are effectively challenging the status quo.
This outcome garnered a rather unhappy reaction from Fox News.
— ettingermentum (@ettingermentum) June 24, 2026
The results also disheartened several centrist House Democrats who bravely opened up to Axios:
A centrist House Democrat, wishing to remain anonymous for frankness, described the results as an “earthquake” and a “major defeat” for Democratic leadership.
This source implied that current strategies, labeled “appeasement,” are insufficient, stating, “You need to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You can’t succeed by playing patty cake with these adversaries.”
Another senior Democrat confirmed there is palpable concern among their colleagues: “Yes, they are.”
…
The anonymous centrist predicted that an increase of democratic socialists will present a “migraine” for leadership come 2027.“Calling it a headache is an understatement,” the lawmaker summarized.
“Holy sh*t,” remarked a second senior House Democrat.
“Buckle up.”
Polling indicates a single issue is central to this Democratic house cleaning: the Israel matter.
Mamdani (vs. other Dems) aligns closely with the evolving Democratic stance on Israel.
-Dems now show significantly more sympathy toward Palestinians vs. Israelis, reflecting a 47-point shift in just 2.5 years.
-53% state AIPAC support makes them less likely to vote for candidates (up from 34% in 2024). pic.twitter.com/xBD5T3Ec5w— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) June 24, 2026
Mamdani: The Boy Kingmaker Leading the Shift on Israel
The New York Times has dubbed Mayor Mamdani a “kingmaker”:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his endorsed candidates made substantial gains in the recent primaries, signaling a tremendous resurgence for the insurgent left in the Democratic Party.
Mr. Mamdani’s slate unseated established incumbents with strong backing from major labor unions and the House Democratic leader. Additionally, a candidate he supported won an open House seat, with multiple democratic socialists achieving victories down the ballot.
…
Each of these successful candidates embraced Mamdani’s progressive economic platform, primarily focusing on halting U.S. support for Israel—a notable indicator of shifting public opinion, even in New York.
…
Mr. Mamdani exhibits a striking willingness to take political risks, a stark contrast compared to his predecessors. So far, he possesses the unique ability to project his high-profile political image onto other candidates.
A particular election highlighted the separation of anti-Zionism from anti-Semitism, amplifying the issue further.
The Most Jewish District in America Votes Progressive?
Your easiest victory surfaced in New York’s 10th district, the nation’s most Jewish district.
This fact allowed progressive analysts to dismiss accusations of anti-Semitism from figures such as former Trump attorney Michael Cohen:
Consider the facts: New York 10 has one of the highest Jewish populations in Congress. Lander—who Cohen condemned as a “pick-me Jew”—won overwhelmingly with 66%, while Cohen’s preferred candidate Goldman garnered just 34%. Should Cohen presume to speak for all Jews… https://t.co/nE6zQr9k33 pic.twitter.com/SYobYlEMbV
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) June 24, 2026
The Forward (formerly the Jewish Daily Forward) reported:
At a campaign rally, Mamdani likened the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to “monsters” wielding dark money to maintain their power and divide us. These remarks stirred widespread condemnation from Jewish leaders, some of whom initially supported Mamdani.
Lander, a prominent Jewish politician supporting Mamdani, aligned with progressive candidates critiquing hardline pro-Israel funding that labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank as “genocide” and “apartheid.”
Regarding incumbents, Lander focused his campaign on Goldman’s backing of U.S. military aid to Israel and his previous connection to AIPAC.
Though he expressed discomfort in criticizing AIPAC due to historical antisemitic associations, Lander highlighted the need to question its funding while pledging to reduce U.S. military aid to Israel.
In his victory speech, Lander honored Israeli activists working to safeguard Palestinian rights, assuring he would combat antisemitism while advocating for Palestinian human rights.
“In Congress, I hope to reflect the courage they exhibit,” he remarked. “I aspire to be among the Jewish representatives willing to advocate for Palestinian rights while staunchly opposing bigotry aimed at Jews. These missions are interconnected.”
Goldman, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, utilized his wealth and claims of labor alignment but failed to resonate with voters.
In fact, it was a challenging night for establishment-oriented unions overall.
‘Hurt Feelings in Communities of Color?’ Really?
The earlier mentioned NYT article quoted New York State Attorney General Letitia James:
“This is a wake-up call,” expressed Letitia James, a progressive attorney general who originally supported Mamdani’s mayoral run. She revealed opposition against him following the recent elections.
“It’s clear there are hurt feelings tonight, especially among communities of color,” she remarked, emphasizing the need to collaborate with the left-leaning faction of the party to create a shared roadmap moving forward.
James’ participation alongside the controversial Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich at the New York Israel Day Parade earlier raised eyebrows:
Tish James failed the moral clarity test during an active genocide. Her feelings do not concern us. pic.twitter.com/SdhFKN6akQ
— Natalie Holme Elsberg (@NatalieElsberg) June 24, 2026
However, the true measure of the election and the demographics of Mamdani-backed candidates effectively negated James’ assertion that establishment centrists represent “communities of color.”
In fact, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a candidate supported by Mamdani in the predominantly Black and Hispanic 13th District, which includes parts of Harlem and the Bronx, faced significant racist attacks during her campaign:
A former senior adviser for Rep. Adriano Espaillat unleashed racist allegations against Avila Chevalier in Spanish-language media, suggesting she aims to replace Dominicans in Washington Heights with Muslims and Haitians.
“Mamdani, who is also Muslim, wants to transform Washington Heights—no longer a Dominican bastion, but instead a stronghold for Haitian Muslims allied with him,” Pimentel stated in Spanish during the “Entre Líneas” podcast.
Not only were there veiled racial slurs, but Espaillat also benefitted from considerable dubious funding.
The fact that Chevalier defeated Espaillat—the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus—illustrates significant political advancements within “communities of color,” demonstrating the local dominance of progressive ideals.
This situation is less true in what some might call the “commie corridor,” where Mamdani achieved his third victory.
Brooklyn Leftists Eyeing Jeffries Next?
Claire Valdez, Mamdani’s “chosen candidate” in a seat covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens, emerged victorious against an opponent backed by outgoing congresswoman Nydia Velázquez.
The demographics of New York’s 7th Congressional District cast credibility on accusations of gentrification compared to Chevalier’s race, yet the narrative might diverge.
The NYT attributed Valdez’s victory to “the strength of the mayor’s backing, combined with voter desires for insurgency over incumbency,” noting Mamdani’s elimination of candidates supported by Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Hakeem Jeffries during a low-turnout primary.
They remarked that “the left triumphed over (Democratic House Minority Leader) Hakeem Jeffries.”
The primary results illustrated Mr. Mamdani’s comfort with risk-taking and hinted at a potentially tense face-off with the sitting top Democrat in Congress.
Endorsing challengers for long-serving incumbents, the mayor has put Mr. Jeffries, a Brooklyn native seeking the Speakership, directly in his crosshairs. Neither Valdez nor Avila Chevalier have affirmed their support for him in his quest to become Speaker should Democrats regain control after November.
By doubling their presence in the House from two to four, democratic socialists are likely to push further left, creating friction for establishment Democrats.
Before the results for Avila Chevalier and Valdez were finalized, Mr. Jeffries stated that Democrats should direct their focus away from secure blue districts and toward more competitive regions, particularly New York’s Long Island suburbs.
“Our goal is not merely winning Democratic primaries in areas that are blue no matter the outcome,” he remarked to Spectrum News NY1’s Errol Louis. “To reclaim control of the House, we must flip seats in challenging territories.”
Valdez’s victory gathering erupted into boos and chants of “You’re next” when Jeffries appeared on the screens:
And a “you’re next” chant pic.twitter.com/KIuQPG5ckN
— katie honan (@katie_honan) June 24, 2026
Jeffries shrugged off the commotion:
When asked about his disagreements with Mamdani in today’s NY Democratic primaries, Hakeem Jeffries stated they have “agreed to strongly disagree.”
When queried about Mamdani’s tactical shift to pull the House Democratic caucus to the left, he remarked that a handful of primaries “won’t reshape” the caucus. pic.twitter.com/9ybuqNfbOk
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 23, 2026
Jeffries isn’t the only leader on the DSA’s radar.
Will They Challenge Schumer Next?
Politico highlighted the broader implications:
“To those grappling with today’s challenges, I assert that these are the leaders who can help us tackle tomorrow’s issues,” Mamdani remarked of his supported candidates in a 1010 WINS interview.
Mamdani articulated this sentiment previously at a campaign rally, forecasting that the party focusing on “managing decline rather than enacting material change for working individuals” is destined to lose, not just in the recent primaries but also in the 2028 presidential election.
This year marks Schumer’s expected pursuit of a sixth term amid notable voter dissatisfaction. A preceding statewide Siena University poll found 52 percent of voters hold negative views of him (only 33% view him positively).
Despite a reputation as an effective fundraiser, hard-left candidates have not succeeded in statewide elections. However, ousting the 75-year-old Schumer would represent a significant victory for a political left eager for change with national ramifications.
No response was received from Schumer’s spokesperson when seeking comments.
Last night did not solely mark a defeat for centrist Democrats; even a progressive icon faced setbacks.
AOC’s Influence is Diminishing
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, seeking a fifth term representing NY’s 14th Congressional District, kickstarted the leftist movement in the state with her landmark primary victory over Joe Crowley in 2018.
However, her progressivism now appears to have waned.
Not only did she endorse Joe Biden during a prolonged campaign lasting well beyond most in 2024, but her assertion at the Democratic convention that “Kamala Harris is working ‘tirelessly’ for a cease-fire” in Gaza did little for her image.
Her endorsements this year did not aid in revitalizing her public persona:
BREAKING: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Letitia James for re-election as New York Attorney General. pic.twitter.com/uQ3wS2kqOx
— Socialist News Media (@Socialist_Wins) June 22, 2026
She also continued to support her Congressional mentor Nydia Velázquez and refrained from endorsing the ultimate winner, Claire Valdez.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing a group of insurgent congressional candidates, including two challenging Democratic incumbents, while Ocasio-Cortez focuses on supporting several Democratic Socialists of America in state legislative races, abstaining from divisive congressional primaries.
…
In a brief conversation, Ocasio-Cortez stated she and Mamdani are “in two different positions” and that, as part of the New York delegation, it was “crucial” to let the electoral processes unfold independently. She acknowledged a “much deeper focus” on building a progressive bench further down ballot.
…
In the wake of losing her bid to lead the House Oversight Committee, Ocasio-Cortez had committed to avoiding challengers against incumbents, only to reopen this avenue earlier this spring.It’s not surprising that Ocasio-Cortez opted not to intervene in these races, as “governing is complex, requiring alliances and relationships with fellow elected officials,” according to Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the New York Working Families Party.
“AOC’s maturity, along with her status as a senior member, allows her to recognize that advancing her career demands partnerships within governmental circles,” Gripper elaborated.
Speculation suggests that AOC and Mamdani might have coordinated their endorsements, as reported by Peter Sterne at City and State in May:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly supported five state candidates on the same day Ocasio-Cortez announced her backing for four others. Together, they have almost exclusively endorsed candidates from the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America—albeit mostly differing choices. This suggests their slates are coordinated; Mamdani eased into DSA’s candidates for open seats, while Ocasio-Cortez supported challengers against incumbents whom Mamdani wouldn’t endorse.
Time will demonstrate if AOC’s prudence will have consequences. She still stands a chance to oppose Schumer for his Senate seat in 2028 but appears to be losing ground to Ro Khanna as a progressive presidential candidate.
Yet, amidst these exhilarating victories, numerous other races resulted in less favorable outcomes.
The AI Movement Proclaimed Their Victory
Though my earlier focus rested solely on Mamdani’s candidates, I have previously discussed New York state Rep. Alex Bores’ efforts for the Democratic nomination in New York’s 12th Congressional District alongside the influential money interests opposing him.
Here’s the concise summary from the NYT earlier this month:
Super PACs associated with leading artificial intelligence firms have transformed the final weeks of a concrete New York House race by investing tens of millions to influence its result and a national dialogue on industry regulation.
Together, groups related to OpenAI and Anthropic invested over $12 million towards this effort, inundating mailboxes and saturating airwaves, including television ads during the NBA finals. Other stakeholders from the industry contributed around another $4 million, which could ultimately render this the costliest congressional race in history.
This financial backing is likely a precursor to even greater expenditures in the autumn midterm elections, where tech-affiliated groups have promised hundreds of millions governed around elections determining future regulatory frameworks.
“This signifies a real trial to ascertain whether corporate interests from California, technology, and crypto can dictate electoral outcomes,” stated Representative Jerrold Nadler, the liberal Democrat whose retirement incited this financial tidal wave.
The overwhelming corporate funding proved effective, as indicated by primary results:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) June 24, 2026
Observe the third-place finish of the Kennedy heir, a political non-entity banking on his last name and waning celebrity.
Check how the NYT downplays Lasher’s success and sidelines the significant corporate expenditures:
Mr. Lasher, 44, opted for a traditional campaign approach defined by his qualifications and governmental experience, contrasting with a moment when voters nationally are frustrated with establishment dynamics and eager for new political stars.
Results indicate that this affluent district, populated by some of the nation’s oldest and best-educated residents, retains a historical trend of prioritizing policy experts over flashy candidates.
Along the way, Mr. Lasher enjoyed the endorsement of the beloved former congressman Jerrold Nadler, alongside a substantial $10 million from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, securing his position as a frontrunner in election November.
This district comprises most of central Manhattan and hosts more Fortune 500 companies than anywhere else nationwide.
Some cheers mingled with boos when Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s image appeared on-screen. When results for Brad Lander, also backed by Mr. Mamdani, were announced, the crowd responded with jeers.
Nonetheless, they ultimately acknowledged the situation in the race, and to Lasher’s credit (and Nadler’s), he did not solicit the onslaught of AI funding, indicating that they deemed him more acceptable than the outspoken Bores:
This race had evolved into a $27 million proxy warfare amid competing factions within the AI industry.
In his concession speech, Mr. Bores emphasized the millions opposing him tied to major tech companies like OpenAI.
“What we encountered was a monumental and unprecedented contest, and we did not relent,” he stated. “Though we fell short tonight, our example defied their intentions.”
Mr. Lasher informed A.I. companies that his primary focus regarding technology would be safeguarding the interests of younger generations.
Note that Lasher disregarded concerns for the welfare of people in different districts, where the AI data center boom is notably concentrated.
Additionally, a troubling outcome unfolded in Maryland, where a departing establishment figure appears slated to be succeeded by a proxy for crypto, Israeli, and other lobbying interests.
Steny Hoyer Replaced by a Regulator’s Proxy
Politico has reported the essentials:
Maryland state Del. Adrian Boafo emerged victorious in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, poised to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer in the 5th District, following an $11 million infusion from pro-crypto and pro-Israel donors.
Boafo was the favored successor of Hoyer and his former campaign manager. The primary showcased internal party conflicts over substantial outside financial influences, marking the waning clashes between Hoyer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who backed another candidate.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC linked to AIPAC, spent $5.7 million to promote Boafo, becoming the most significant investor in the race. Another super PAC aligned with the crypto sector contributed $5.5 million, primarily aiding Boafo, a former federal lobbyist for Oracle.
This amount stirred discontent among several of Boafo’s opponents. Three of them—Harry Dunn, Rushern Baker and Quincy Bareebe—jointly condemned external spending’s effect on the primary outcome. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a potential 2028 presidential contender, also lambasted these groups for attempting to purchase the seat.
Such shocking allegations indeed!
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