New York Primaries: Testing the Democratic Socialists' Strength
Al Jazeera Staff
New York's Democratic primary on Tuesday will shape the party's direction, with several democratic socialist candidates campaigning on issues including Israel policy and inequality. The outcomes will determine control of Congress in the midterms, with races testing the strength of the Democratic Socialists of America and progressive voices like Brad Lander challenging incumbents. A Kennedy heir, a former Republican, and an AI advocate are among those vying for seats in a crowded field.
Just seven months after democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, a new wave of candidates is testing the Democratic Party's political orientation in America's most populous city.
Tuesday's New York primary will decide which candidates the party nominates for the November midterm elections. The vote will determine control of Congress, giving lawmakers the power to support or obstruct President Donald Trump's legislative agenda in his final two years in office.
Most districts in New York City are safe Democratic strongholds, meaning the primary winners are almost certain to prevail in November. But other areas, such as Long Island and the Hudson Valley, are considered battlegrounds. The outcomes of these races are expected to play a crucial role in determining which party holds the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Israel Policy Dominates Lander vs. Goldman Race
Brad Lander, a progressive former New York City comptroller, is challenging incumbent Representative Dan Goldman to represent New York's 10th district, which stretches from lower Manhattan to northern Brooklyn.
Their contrasting views on Israel policy have dominated the primary. Lander has denounced Israel's military actions in Gaza as genocide and called its control of the occupied Palestinian territories “apartheid.” He has called for a U.S. arms embargo on Israel while maintaining that Israel has a “right to exist” as a Jewish state and opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.
Goldman, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, emphasizes support for Israel but criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. He argues the Gaza war is not genocide and rejects allegations that Israel maintains an apartheid system. Goldman is backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and has endorsements from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Lander is supported by progressive politicians including Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders. Recent polls show Lander leading, but the margin is expected to be tight.
Socialist Candidates Backed by Mamdani
Two primary races will test the strength of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the group that mobilized grassroots support to help Mamdani win last year.
In the 13th district (Upper Manhattan and the Bronx), DSA-endorsed candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier is challenging incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat, who has held the seat since 2017. Espaillat, 71, criticizes Avila Chevalier, 32, as inexperienced and out of step with the Democratic Party, while citing her past tweets criticizing former President Joe Biden and candidate Kamala Harris. Avila Chevalier has apologized for the online remarks but continues to advocate for police reform, prison reform, federal immigration enforcement changes, and Palestinian rights. Israel is a flashpoint: she attended a pro-Palestinian protest the day after the October 7, 2023 attacks.
In the 7th district (northern Brooklyn and Queens), Claire Valdez, 36, a state assemblywoman backed by Mamdani, is running against Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn borough president. Both are progressive candidates who share goals of abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ending military aid to Israel. Reynoso is endorsed by labor unions and the progressive Working Families Party, as well as incumbent Representative Nydia Velazquez. Valdez, who moved to New York in 2015, is seen as a symbol of the younger, immigrant professionals who make up much of the city's population.
A Kennedy, a Former Republican, and an AI Advocate
In the affluent 12th district (Manhattan), eight candidates are vying to replace retiring Representative Jerrold Nadler. Jack Schlossberg, 33, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, has a large social media following despite little political experience. Other candidates include Alex Bores, a 35-year-old state assemblyman focused on AI regulation; Micah Lasher, a seasoned 44-year-old state assemblyman; and George Conway, 62, a former Republican and vocal Trump critic whose ex-wife was a senior Trump adviser. Early polls showed Schlossberg leading, but recent surveys suggest Bores and Lasher have emerged as strong contenders.
Targeting a Republican Seat
Democrats aim to flip at least one Republican-held seat in New York in November. They are targeting Representative Mike Lawler, who represents the 17th district in the Hudson Valley, a Democratic-leaning area where Lawler defeated incumbent Mondaire Jones in 2024. Five Democratic candidates are competing for the nomination to face Lawler: Cait Conley (a former military officer and national security adviser), Beth Davidson (a county legislator), John Cappello (a former pilot), Effie Phillips-Staley (an activist endorsed by the Working Families Party), and Mike Sacks (a lawyer and journalist). Recent polls show Conley leading.
