NEW YORK — Democratic socialist candidates challenged several established Democratic figures in New York City’s primary elections on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as voters considered contests that tested the influence of the city’s progressive movement. The races included challenges to Democratic incumbents and candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has sought to expand the influence of his political allies.
Among the most closely watched contests was the Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District, where former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander challenged U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman. In New York’s 13th Congressional District, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic Socialist of America-backed candidate, ran against U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat. The Associated Press reported that the races represented a broader contest between progressive challengers and more established Democratic lawmakers.
Mamdani endorsed several progressive candidates during the primary campaign, including Lander, Avila Chevalier and Assembly Member Claire Valdez. Reuters reported that Mamdani’s endorsements were part of an effort to elevate democratic socialist candidates and influence the direction of the Democratic Party in New York.
The Democratic Socialists of America in New York also supported candidates in state legislative races. The group said its endorsed candidates focused on issues including housing, affordability and public services. The organization said earlier in the year that several of its candidates had qualified for public matching funds after meeting fundraising requirements.
Supporters of the challengers argued that the campaigns reflected demands for changes in Democratic priorities. Mamdani has described his agenda as focused on affordability and working-class concerns. “This is the team,” Mamdani said during campaign messaging promoting his slate of candidates, according to reporting on his primary efforts.
Opponents of the challengers included Democratic officials and allies who argued that experience and broader party strategy remained important factors. U.S. House Democratic leaders backed some incumbents, including Espaillat, while critics of the progressive candidates raised concerns about whether their positions would appeal beyond the party’s left wing.
New York’s Democratic primary results were expected to determine the party’s nominees for the general election. Election officials had not released final outcomes for all contests immediately after polls closed, and details on some races remained unclear as vote counting continued.
