Two House Democrats from New York City lost their reelection bids Tuesday to challengers backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a sign that the 34-year-old’s political capital remains high six months into his term.
In the 10th District, based in Lower Manhattan and western Brooklyn, Brad Lander was leading Rep. Dan Goldman with 62 percent to 38 percent when The Associated Press called the race for the former New York City comptroller just minutes after polls closed at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
Meanwhile, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, fell short of winning the nomination for a sixth term representing the 13th District, covering parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Espaillat was trailing organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier 49 percent to 46 percent, when the AP called the race for the challenger at 10:38 p.m. Eastern time.
A third Mamdani-backed candidate was also victorious Tuesday with state Rep. Claire Valdez defeating Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary for the 7th District seat, where Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez is retiring. Valdez had 57 percent of the vote to Reynoso’s 34 percent when the AP called the race at 9:23 p.m. Eastern time.
