Politics
Three Progressive Candidates Endorsed by Mayor Mamdani Win Democratic Primaries for New York City Congressional Seats
Three New York City progressive Democrats who received Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement have won their Democratic primaries and will run in the midterm congressional election on Tuesday. The candidates—Claire Valdez, Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier—each secured victories in districts that are heavily Democratic, making them likely to win the general election.
Valdez, a state assembly member and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated the retiring congresswoman Nydia Velazquez in the primary for the district that includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Avila Chevalier, a community organizer, unseated long‑time congressman Adriano Espaillat in the district that covers parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx. Lander, the former New York City comptroller, defeated incumbent congressman Dan Goldman in the district that contains a large Jewish population.
All three candidates share common policy priorities such as abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and establishing a public health‑care system called Medicare for All. Their paths to politics differ: Lander’s background is in city government and finance; Avila Chevalier’s activism focuses on Palestinian rights and anti‑war spending; Valdez’s roots are in the labor movement and union organizing.
During the campaign, Lander highlighted his opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and his support for a two‑state solution, while also calling for the abolition of ICE. Avila Chevalier’s platform, “Babies Not Bombs,” calls for redirecting military spending—including aid to Israel—toward domestic priorities such as childcare and healthcare. Valdez advocates for stronger labor protections, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, national rent control, and a government‑run health‑care system.
The candidates’ priorities will need to be balanced with the realities of congressional politics. Lander has suggested measures such as banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks and restoring government subsidies that expired in 2025. Avila Chevalier plans to advance her “Babies Not Bombs” agenda, and Valdez aims to pass the PRO Act.
The three candidates are not the first progressive New Yorkers to seek congressional office. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, elected in 2018, has worked with Republicans on issues such as capping credit‑card interest rates.
The primaries were the main event for voters, and the candidates’ victories set the stage for the upcoming general election, where they are expected to win given the Democratic lean of their districts.