Mamdani-backed candidates topple 2 New York incumbents in primaries

Zohran Mamdani’s influence in New York politics deepened Tuesday as three left-wing candidates he backed won Democratic primaries, including two races that ousted sitting members of Congress. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and community activist Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbents Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman, while state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez won her contest against a candidate backed by much of the city’s Democratic establishment. The results suggest Mamdani’s coalition, built during his upset mayoral win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year, is proving durable beyond City Hall and could shape the national Democratic Party’s direction.