Mamdani-Backed Candidates Win Three New York House Seats

Mamdani’s three endorsed candidates won House races in New York City on Tuesday, extending the mayor’s influence in districts where Democrats hold a strong electoral advantage. Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander and Claire Valdez are headed to Congress after winning their respective races.

Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated Republican Jennifer Moore in the 10th Congressional District. He had won the Democratic primary against incumbent Dan Goldman, campaigning to Goldman’s left.

In the 7th District, covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens, Valdez defeated Republican Melvin Rivera. The state Assembly member, a democratic socialist, had won the primary against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who was backed by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.

Avila Chevalier won the 13th District, which includes Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. She defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary by less than four percentage points, despite having no previous experience in elected office, then beat Republican Jomo M. Williams in the general election.

The victories followed Mamdani’s support for all three candidates and highlighted divisions between progressive challengers and establishment-backed Democrats. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigned against Mamdani’s candidates and backed incumbents. The election results also included wins for several other New York Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, who secured reelection.