New York Democrats Face Progressive Challenge in Congressional Primaries

New York's Democratic primary elections for U.S. House seats are taking place Tuesday with several competitive races that could reshape the state's congressional delegation and signal the party's direction nationally. The contests have become a test of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political influence, the young democratic socialist who won office last year and is now backing a slate of progressive challengers and candidates against establishment Democratic incumbents and competitors.

In Manhattan's 12th Congressional District, eight Democrats are competing to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler. The field includes Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who is leveraging his family name and social media presence in the campaign. However, he faces significant competition from state Assemblymen Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, as well as George Conway, a former Republican and Trump critic who leads the field in fundraising. Lasher has secured endorsements from Nadler, Governor Kathy Hochul, and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, positioning him as the establishment favorite. Bores has emerged as a focal point of a spending battle over his proposals to regulate artificial intelligence, with Big Tech companies spending millions to oppose his candidacy.

Mamdani is backing three House candidates in other closely watched races. In the 13th Congressional District covering Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, Mamdani supports Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student and political organizer challenging five-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican American elected to Congress. In the 7th Congressional District in Brooklyn and Queens, Mamdani backs Claire Valdez, a state assemblywoman and democratic socialist challenging Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the race to replace retiring 17-term U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Additionally, Brad Lander, the former New York City Comptroller, is challenging two-term U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District with Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' support.

New York is expected to play a pivotal role in determining control of the closely divided U.S. House in November. North of the city, in the 17th Congressional District, five Democrats are competing to challenge two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler. The swing district, which Democrat Kamala Harris narrowly carried in 2024, represents one of the top seats Democrats hope to flip. On Long Island, vulnerable Democratic freshmen representatives are defending their seats against primary challenges.

The only statewide contest on Tuesday is the Democratic primary for state comptroller, where five-term incumbent Tom DiNapoli faces his first primary challenge after almost 20 years in office. In upstate New York's 21st Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik is not seeking reelection following her unsuccessful gubernatorial run and withdrawn nomination for United Nations Ambassador.