New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is looking to use his political power to reshape New York's congressional delegation less than six months after taking office. The popular mayor has made endorsements in multiple contests ahead of Tuesday's House primaries in New York, including for progressive challengers to two sitting Democratic congressmen.
The primaries will offer an early test of Mamdani's influence after his historic rise to become the leader of the country's largest city. He has enjoyed a series of recent political and policy successes while in office, partnering with Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on initiatives including a "pied-à-terre" tax on second homes worth more than $5 million and an expansion of free childcare to 2-year-olds.
What the Right Is Saying
Mamdani's endorsements have also created friction within his own party. His late-May endorsement of Avila Chevalier against Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D), who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, surprised many political observers given that Espaillat had endorsed Mamdani during his mayoral campaign.
"He will have diminished level of trust with a lot of people because everyone here knows, and most elected officials know, that there was a commitment to be with Adriano that was reneged upon," said one New York Democratic strategist involved in multiple primary races.
Velázquez has expressed frustration over Mamdani's backing of Valdez. "I'm not going to allow DSA to define who is progressive and who is not," she told The New York Times after campaigning for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, her preferred successor. "Because the fact that they are here, I paved the way for that."
Ester Fuchs, a political science professor at Columbia University, argued Mamdani has more to risk than gain. "He needs to expand his base in New York, so it is high risk for him to go into two districts and in one case support the opponent of a senior Hispanic incumbent legislator and the other case oppose the preferred candidate of a retiring senior Hispanic legislator," Fuchs said.
What the Left Is Saying
Mamdani's endorsements have drawn support from prominent progressive figures. He is aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), as well as New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, in backing former city Comptroller Brad Lander's challenge to two-term Rep. Dan Goldman (D) in New York's 10th Congressional District.
"His honeymoon period as mayor has continued. He's doing well right now," said New York Democratic strategist Trip Yang. "He's taking risks intentionally."
Mamdani joined Sanders at a get-out-the-vote rally alongside candidates in Brooklyn Thursday, including Lander, community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, and New York Assembly member Claire Valdez. Mamdani has also backed Valdez in the open primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D), where she has support from the Democratic Socialists of America.
Progressive supporters argue Mamdani is building his political brand by backing candidates who share his vision for the city and the party.
What the Numbers Show
Espaillat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has served in Congress since 2017. Goldman is a two-term congressman first elected in 2022. Velázquez, who would be succeeded if Valdez wins, is a 36-year House veteran first elected in 1992.
Mamdani notably declined to support a left-wing challenge to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), saying "the focus should be right here on New York City." City Council member Chi Ossé filed paperwork to challenge Jeffries but dropped his bid shortly after Mamdani's comments.
The Espaillat campaign argued the endorsement has brought scrutiny to Avila Chevalier. "If anything, the endorsement has highlighted the contrast in the race," said spokesperson Reginald Johnson, adding that Espaillat is "proud to have the trust of the people he serves."
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's primaries will test whether Mamdani can translate his mayoral popularity into coattails for progressive candidates. While his Lander endorsement aligns with national progressive priorities, the Avila Chevalier and Valdez endorsements represent breaks with senior Democratic figures.
Political observers note that Mamdani has been selective, avoiding challenges to Jeffries while focusing on races where outcomes likely will not impact his city agenda. "He's taking on some political risk, but I see him as being very calculated," Yang said.
Dan Lamb, an associate teaching professor at Cornell University's Brooks School of Public Policy and former congressional aide, said he expects those involved will move past the primary battles. "People never forget, but they have to work together some level after the election," Lamb said. "Politicians have pretty good survival instincts."