Three progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their primary elections Tuesday night, positioning them for likely seats in Congress from heavily Democratic districts. The victories represent a shift toward more left-leaning candidates within the Democratic Party and could reshape representation in New York's 13th Congressional District and others.
Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District primary. Avila Chevalier, 32, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She was born in Florida to parents who emigrated from the Dominican Republic and attended Columbia University before pursuing a PhD at CUNY.
Claire Valdez currently serves in the New York State Assembly for the 37th District, having taken office in 2025. A citizen of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation, she moved to New York in 2015. She has announced her candidacy to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in Congress.
Brad Lander is a progressive Democrat and former DSA member who ran for Congress. All three candidates received endorsements from Justice Democrats, a political organization that supports progressive candidates.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters of these candidates say their victories represent a desire for more aggressive action on issues like housing affordability, workers' rights, and healthcare access. Progressive advocates argue that voters in these districts are seeking representatives who will push for systemic change rather than incremental policy adjustments.
Justice Democrats, which endorsed all three candidates, describes them as fighting to 'tax the rich, protect tenants, and empower workers.' The organization notes that Valdez worked low-wage customer service jobs through high school, college, and after graduation, framing her background as representative of working-class constituents she would represent.
Progressive commentators have characterized primary wins by DSA-backed candidates as part of a broader shift within the Democratic Party toward more left-leaning positions on economic policy. Supporters argue these districts, which lean heavily Democratic, should be represented by officials whose policies align with their most progressive voters rather than more moderate incumbents.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics argue that these candidates' policy positions are too extreme for general election audiences and could complicate Democratic Party efforts to maintain broader coalitions. Conservative commentators have noted that while these districts lean Democratic, general elections require appeal beyond core party activists.
Opponents point to Avila Chevalier's past statements on social media, which included criticism of the United States and arguments against border enforcement policies. Some Republicans argue that positioning on issues like abolishing police and prisons could become campaign vulnerabilities in competitive general election scenarios or future cycles.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) backed incumbent candidates in these races. His preferred choices lost to the Mamdani-backed candidates, a development some party strategists view as reflecting internal Democratic divisions over policy direction.
What the Numbers Show
New York's 13th Congressional District has voted Democratic in every election for decades. The district's Cook Partisan Voting Index leans approximately 30 points toward Democrats, making it one of the safest seats in Congress for the party.
Espaillat had served five terms in Congress before his primary defeat. His loss marks one of the most significant primary defeats for an incumbent Democrat backed by party leadership in recent years.
Velázquez, whom Valdez would succeed if elected, has served in Congress since 1993 and is the first Latina elected to Congress. Her retirement opens a seat that multiple candidates are now competing to fill.
The Bottom Line
These primary results signal continued momentum for DSA-affiliated candidates in Democratic strongholds. All three winners will likely face minimal Republican opposition in heavily blue districts, meaning they are positioned to serve in the next Congress unless their general election opponents mount unexpected campaigns.
The victories also raise questions about the future direction of the Democratic Party and its coalition-building strategies. While these candidates won in districts where progressive policies may resonate with primary voters, broader electoral implications remain uncertain as the party prepares for midterm elections.