Mamdani Backs 3 New York House Challengers as He Tries to Push Democrats Left

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 13

Three congressional endorsements have become Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s biggest early primary-season play, with the first-term mayor backing Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier against incumbents or establishment-backed rivals.
Six months into office, Mamdani is using his post-election popularity to build a larger democratic socialist bench, allies say, while also signaling to young, pro-Palestinian and left-wing supporters that he still shares their agenda.
Those bets carry political risk: Valdez’s race angered allies of Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and Mamdani’s backing of Avila Chevalier reportedly broke a promise to Rep. Adriano Espaillat, drawing accusations that he is untrustworthy.
The strategy is selective as well — Mamdani endorsed only 3 of 7 DSA-backed state candidates, mostly in open-seat races, suggesting he is trying to expand the left without alienating Albany lawmakers he still needs.
With early voting starting this weekend, the endorsements are being watched as a test of whether Mamdani can turn citywide popularity into broader influence inside New York’s Democratic Party — and eventually beyond it.