Full Breakdown
June 18 Primary Elections Highlight Intra-Party Battles and Emerging Contenders
6/24/2026, 12:49:59 AM
Overview of June 18 Primary Contests
On Tuesday, June 18, primaries were held in New York, Maryland, Utah and a runoff in South Carolina. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three Democratic Socialists of America-aligned challengers to take on incumbent Democrats Adriano Espaillat (Bronx) and Dan Goldman (Brooklyn/Lower Manhattan) and to vie for an open Queens-Brooklyn seat. In the Hudson Valley, Republican Mike Lawler defended a district President Joe Harris won by 0.6 percentage points, while Democratic contenders Cait Conley and Beth Davidson sought to unseat him. In Manhattan, a crowded Democratic field—including Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, George Conway and Jack Schlossberg—competed for the seat being vacated by Jerry Nadler. South Carolina’s gubernatorial runoff featured former Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, both endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Background & Context
Mayor Mamdani, elected in 2023, has built a strong TikTok presence (? 850 k followers) and positions himself as a progressive challenger to incumbents deemed “insufficiently adversarial toward Israel.” His endorsements pit him against Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who, as third in line to the presidency, is tasked with protecting Democratic incumbents and steering the party toward a House majority. Lawler’s seat is one of three Republican-held districts that Harris narrowly carried, making it a focal point for both parties. Nadler’s retirement opened a high-profile Manhattan contest, while Trump’s dual endorsement reflects his continued sway in Republican primaries despite recent setbacks.
Key Candidates and Endorsers
- Zohran Mamdani – New York City mayor; backs Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander, Claire Valdez.
- Adriano Espaillat – Five-term incumbent, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
- Dan Goldman – Former federal prosecutor, incumbent for Lower Manhattan.
- Mike Lawler – Republican U.S. Representative, incumbent in the Hudson Valley.
- Cait Conley – Combat veteran, Democratic challenger to Lawler.
- Beth Davidson – Rockland County legislator, Democratic challenger to Lawler.
- Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, George Conway, Jack Schlossberg – Democratic contenders for Nadler’s seat.
- Donald Trump – Former president; endorses both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson.
- Pam Evette, Alan Wilson – Republican candidates in South Carolina’s gubernatorial runoff.
Data & Statistics
- Mamdani’s TikTok following: ? 850 000.
- Lawler’s 2024 reelection margin: +6 percentage points; Harris’s district margin: +0.6 percentage points.
- Lawler’s cash advantage over the Democratic nominee: $3–4 million.
- Super-PAC spending: Stand for New York PAC – $10 million for Lasher; Think Big – $8 million against Bores.
- Emerson College poll for Nadler’s seat: Lasher and Bores tied; ? 33 % of likely voters undecided.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Mamdani framed his endorsements as an effort to “elevate far-left challengers” who would push a more aggressive stance on foreign policy and social justice. Jeffries reiterated his role in “protecting Democratic incumbents and leading the party back into the majority.” Lawler’s campaign highlighted a “cash advantage of $3–4 million” to underscore fiscal readiness for a general-election contest. Trump’s social-media post signaled a “dual endorsement” for both South Carolina runoff candidates, emphasizing his inability to favor one without harming the other.
Criticism & Opposition
Progressive activists argue that incumbents Espaillat and Goldman are “insufficiently adversarial toward Israel,” prompting Mamdani’s challenge. Party insiders caution that Mamdani’s confrontational stance could strain relations with Jeffries, who traditionally shields incumbents. Critics of Trump’s dual endorsement note that it “dilutes the impact of his king-maker reputation” after recent setbacks in other Republican primaries.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Emerson College poll shows Lasher and Bores in a statistical tie, yet a third of respondents remain undecided, leaving the true frontrunner unclear. No official vote tallies are available for the South Carolina runoff, and the effect of super-PAC spending on final outcomes remains unquantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These were the two that I was hoping would get into a Runoff, and they did,” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “I can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post
What’s Next
Primary winners will appear on the November ballot, where Democrats aim to capture a House majority and Republicans seek to retain the Hudson Valley seat. South Carolina’s runoff will determine the GOP gubernatorial nominee, who will face Democratic State Representative Jermaine Johnson in the November general election. Campaigns in New York continue to mobilize voters ahead of the final filing deadline and upcoming debates.
