New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's slate of progressive candidates swept establishment-backed Democrats in the state's congressional primaries on Tuesday, ousting two sitting congressmen and delivering a significant challenge to party leadership in Washington.

Mamdani, who leads America's largest city and has positioned himself as a democratic socialist, backed three candidates who ran on platforms including abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, condemning Israel's war in Gaza as genocide, and raising taxes on the wealthy. His candidates defeated U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, a two-term incumbent; and the handpicked successor of retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.

What the Left Is Saying

Mamdani framed the victories as a mandate for better Democratic representation rather than simply more Democrats. "It's not just a question of electing more Democrats," he said Tuesday night. "It's a question of electing better Democrats. When I look at these candidacies, I see in them a willingness to also put working people back at the heart of our politics."

Brad Lander, who defeated Goldman and has aligned himself with the democratic socialist movement, celebrated his victory by vowing to abolish ICE, describing Israel's war in Gaza as "genocide," and criticizing "Trump's fascism" in his acceptance speech. All three Mamdani-backed candidates have promised to "abolish ICE," condemned what they call genocide in Israel, and pledged to "tax the rich."

Progressive supporters pointed to lobbying money from groups like AIPAC as a driver of their votes. In East Harlem, voter Sara Hyler said she switched from Espaillat to challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier after learning about support the incumbent received from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. "It was the breaking point, my last straw," Hyler said. She argued it was important to elect progressives who aren't beholden to AIPAC and the Israeli government. "As much as I support Israel, I don't think we should be paying for them."

What the Right Is Saying

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who campaigned aggressively against Mamdani's candidates, downplayed their potential impact before polls closed. "We have agreed to strongly disagree," Jeffries said of Mamdani on Capitol Hill. "There are 215 members of the House Democratic caucus. A handful of primaries that go in one direction or the other, in a given state or two, aren't going to reshape who we are as House Democrats."

Establishment Democrats expressed concern that progressive positions on Israel and immigration could alienate swing voters ahead of midterm elections this fall. Espaillat's allies called Avila Chevalier unfit for office, pointing to her history of inflammatory social media posts when she was in her 20s.

Yvette Sanchez, a 30-year-old preschool teacher who voted for Espaillat, said she was put off by Mamdani's attempts to unseat the incumbent and silence communities of color. "Do you just think you can insert anyone you want or do you actually want to listen to us?" Sanchez said, noting she had supported Mamdani in last year's mayoral race.

What the Numbers Show

Mamdani's slate won all three contested congressional primaries on Tuesday. Two sitting members of Congress were defeated: Rep. Adriano Espaillat, 71, who was the first Dominican American elected to Congress representing a district covering upper Manhattan and the Bronx; and Rep. Dan Goldman, 42, a two-term incumbent.

The victories give Mamdani three potential new allies in Congress from New York. In a separate high-profile race, Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, failed in his bid for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. Mamdani made no endorsement in that crowded contest.

In another primary outcome, state Assembly member Micah Lasher, backed by Democratic leaders, prevailed over a field that included anti-Trump activist George Conway and assembly member Alex Bores. This race was not part of Mamdani's slate.

The Bottom Line

The primary results represent a significant political test for the Democratic Party's direction, with progressive candidates aligned with Mamdani defeating establishment-backed incumbents in New York. All three winners ran on platforms that included abolishing ICE, labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, and advocating for higher taxes on wealthy Americans.

What happens next will likely depend on November's general election results. The races now move to the general electorate, where candidates' positions on Israel and immigration could become factors in traditionally Democratic districts that may also contain swing voters. Jeffries and other establishment Democrats have signaled they will work with whoever wins, regardless of primary outcomes.

Voters in affected districts should monitor general election matchups as Mamdani's three new allies seek to convert their primary victories into seats in Congress.