Story perspectives

Mamdadi-backed Slate Wins Three Seats, Top Democrats Criticized

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s slate won three congressional seats, adding candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier to his allies.
Crowds chanted “Free Palestine” and “DSA,” with voters blaming Democratic establishment’s Israel support and health-care and climate policies for backing the challengers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced criticism for supporting the defeated incumbents, prompting the trio to shape the 2028 nomination race.

History

Historical Context

The June 26 2018 Democratic primary in New York’s 14th district saw Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeat incumbent Joe Crowley with 57 % of the vote, an 18-to-1 spending gap that echoed the 2014 Dave Brat upset of Eric Cantor. Fueled by the post-2016 surge in Democratic Socialists of America after Bernie Sanders’ campaign, her win sparked a wave of progressive challenges that now pressure leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.

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Story summary

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s slate won three congressional seats, adding candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier to his allies.
Crowds chanted “Free Palestine” and “DSA,” with voters blaming Democratic establishment’s Israel support and health-care and climate policies for backing the challengers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced criticism for supporting the defeated incumbents, prompting the trio to shape the 2028 nomination race.

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