New York primaries 2026 live updates: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s far-left friends aim to take down moderates
A slew of far-lefties backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani are threatening to defeat moderate incumbents in several high-profile races Tuesday as New Yorkers head to the polls on primary election day.
Read more Mamdani takes the Jew-hate all the way to 11
Congressional and state chamber seats are up for grabs while frustrated Big Apple voters are fed up with Democratic leaders — and want to clean house, according to a stinging pre-election survey.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. statewide.
Follow live updates on New York’s primary election for news and results from races across the city and state:
Key races to watch on New York’s Primary Election Day
By
Post Staff
Several high-profile races in today’s primary election involve far-left insurgents backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani who are aiming to take down moderate incumbents.
Some of the contests could disrupt the political landscape as the local Democratic Socialists of America chapter aims to grow its presence both locally and nationally following their candidate Mamdani’s stunning win last year.
“This is the strongest he’ll ever be, and I think that Mamdani movement, he needs to keep that going,” one lefty Democratic operative said.
NY PRIMARY RACES TO WATCH
Mamdani throws his weight behind socialist slate for US House in gamble that could rile allies
By
Craig McCarthy
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has gambled some serious political capital in backing a pair of inexperienced fellow socialists to challenge the Democratic establishment for spots in the federal delegation.
But the jury is still out on whether the ambitious — and potentially reckless — move will pay off for the fresh-faced mayor, who is trying to transfer the momentum from his campaign to other members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
NY-7
Mamdani backed his mentee, rookie assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who is aiming to replace retiring longtime Rep. Nydia Velázquez in New York’s 7th Congressional District.
Her main challenger is Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who was believed to be a shoo-in for the seat with Velázquez’s name him as her preferred successor.
However, Valdez has been riding Mamdani’s coattails since his massive upset in the mayoral election, with the mayor investing heavily into pushing his fellow socialist.
The race has been close in the lead-up to primary day, according to insiders, who have worried about the high number of undecideds.
Councilwoman Julie Won is also in the race, polling in the low double digits.
The endorsement from Mamdani and repeated stumping for Valdez have irked some in the party, with Velázquez not pulling her punches in the press.
NY-13
But Mamdani’s decision to insert himself into the New York 13th Congressional race led to widespread outrage in the party at the city, state and federal levels.
Read more DOJ launches civil rights probe into NYC coffee shop that banned pro-Israel politician
The mayor shockingly put his support behind the first-time candidate, Darializa Avila Chevalier, last month in her bid to take down Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
The endorsement has galvanized the party’s moderates, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Gov. Kathy Hochul jumping in to give Espaillat an assist.
Jeffries even stepped in to help end a feud between Espaillat and state Assembly member Jordan Wright, who is also facing a DSA primary challenger.
NY-10
Brad Lander is also among the slate of federal candidates backed by the mayor — but his expected victory would be less of a political win for Mamdani.
Lander was already far more popular in the New York 10th Congressional Distrct than incumbent Dan Goldman before the former comptroller even entered the race.
Mamdani is also trying to grow the socialist ranks in Albany — but has his own handpicked favorites
By
Craig McCarthy
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing a slate of Democratic Socialists of America to nab the party’s nomination on Tuesday — but also handpicked two outsiders for office.
The more under-the-radar races — opposed to Hizzoner’s lefty set of US House candidates — could add another three members of the NYC-DSA to the ranks of Albany lawmakers.
Hizzoner has put his support behind the following socialists:
- Aber Kawas for the state senate in District 12 in her bid to take on Assemblyman Steven Raga
- llapa Sairitupac, who is vying for Assembly District 65 in Lower Manhattan, with a crowded field of candidates
- Samantha Kattan in Assembly District 37, where former Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez staffer Pia Rahman is also running.
However, Mamdani is also trying to flex his political muscle in two other races, backing two non-DSA members for Albany seats.
The mayor endorsed Brian Romero in the Queens Assembly District 34, where Rosa Sanchez is also vying for the nod.
Meanwhile, he’s been palling around with public defender Eli Northrup as of late, filming commercials and helping him campaign for Upper Manhattan’s Assembly District 69.
Stephanie Ruskay is also running for the spot and would be the first female rabbi in office if elected.
Mamdani notably did not back any insurgent candidates looking to challenge an incumbent.
NYC-DSA has endorsed a total of eight candidates, including Kawas; Sairitupac, Kattan; David Orkin in Assembly District 38; Christian Celeste Tate in Assembly District 54; Eon Huntley in Assembly District 56; Conrad Blackburn in Assembly District 70, and Diane Moreno in Assembly District 36.
The DSA did not endorse Romero or Northrup.
Related Posts
Meet the billionaire power couple advocating ‘communism for landlords’ and a global welfare state — from their $30M Hamptons McMansion
DOJ launches civil rights probe into NYC coffee shop that banned pro-Israel politician
