The wife of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rama Duwaji, said she supported Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, two congressional candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, in the Democratic primary on Tuesday.However, she made no mention of former City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running for Congress. Notably, Mamdani endorsed Lander one month after winning the mayoral election last fall.Duwaji posted a photo of herself on Instagram Stories, holding an “I Voted” sticker and urging New Yorkers to support the two socialist candidates. Valdez and Chevalier are running for New York’s 7th and 13th congressional districts, respectively, with support from fellow socialist Mamdani.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), who represents the 7th Congressional District, is retiring. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), who has represented the 13th Congressional District for five consecutive terms, is seeking reelection this year.Meanwhile, Lander is challenging Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) in the primary race for New York’s 10th Congressional District.Lander is backed by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Mamdani, whereas Goldman has support from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and other Democratic establishment figures.It remains unclear why Duwaji did not express support for Lander on the day of the primary, but the snub is possibly related to their difference of opinion on Israel.Duwaji is an outspoken pro-Palestinian voice, while Lander describes himself as a liberal Zionist who supports the Jewish state amid conflicts in the Middle East.NEW YORK RACES TO WATCH: WHICH BATTLES COULD SHAPE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S FUTURE?Despite the label, the congressional hopeful has criticized the Israeli government for waging a Palestinian genocide in Gaza.Whether Mamdani’s picks for the House will win their respective primaries remains to be seen. The election results will start pouring in after New York’s polling locations close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
