New York primaries test Mamdani’s influence in House races

Voters in New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina head to the polls Tuesday in primaries that will test the influence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, former President Donald Trump and several well-funded outside groups seeking to shape the next Congress.

The most closely watched contests are in New York City, where Mamdani is backing three left-wing candidates in Democratic House primaries. His endorsements come after he cut an ad for his preferred candidates that aired during New York Knicks playoff games and spoke at a weekend rally on their behalf.

In New York’s 10th District, former city Comptroller Brad Lander is challenging Rep. Dan Goldman, a wealthy incumbent who served as a lawyer for House Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment. Both candidates are Jewish, and their differences over Israel’s actions in Gaza have become a central issue. Goldman has support from Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, AIPAC and J Street. Lander, backed by Mamdani, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has been more critical of Israel’s conduct and supports legislation to block some arms sales to Israel.

Mamdani is also supporting Assemblywoman Claire Valdez in the 7th District, where Rep. Nydia Velázquez is retiring after 16 terms. Velázquez has endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, another progressive, making the race a contest between the party’s established progressive wing and democratic socialists. In the 13th District, Mamdani is backing democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier against Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the first formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in the House. Espaillat has support from Hochul, Jeffries and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The New York Times reported that Mamdani had previously agreed to back Espaillat, while NBC News reported a person familiar with the conversations confirmed Mamdani had said he would support him.

Another major New York race is in the 12th District, where Rep. Jerry Nadler’s retirement opened a seat covering Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East and West Sides. Nadler has endorsed Assemblyman Micah Lasher, who also has support from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hochul. Assemblyman Alex Bores is running on artificial intelligence regulation, while George Conway and Jack Schlossberg are also on the ballot. AdImpact says the race has drawn $26 million in ad spending. NBC News reported that outside groups tied to AI policy have spent heavily, including at least $10 million from a super PAC funded by OpenAI-linked donors opposing Bores.

Beyond the city, Democrats are choosing a nominee to face Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th District, a Hudson Valley and Westchester-area seat Kamala Harris carried in 2024. Former cybersecurity official Cait Conley and Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson are among the leading candidates. The Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.

Republicans also have a bitter primary in New York’s 21st District, where Trump-backed businessman Anthony Constantino faces Assemblyman Robert Smullen in the race to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is leaving to run for governor.

In South Carolina, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson meet in a Republican runoff for governor after Evette led the June 9 primary with 29% and Wilson followed with 26%. Trump first endorsed Evette, calling her a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER,” but later endorsed both candidates. “I can’t hurt one of them by only endorsing the other,” he wrote.

Maryland voters are choosing among 23 Democrats seeking to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer. Hoyer has endorsed Adrian Boafo, calling him “as warm as he is smart, as principled as he is pragmatic.” Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, backed by Nancy Pelosi, and self-funded health care executive Quincy Bareebe are also running. Maryland Republicans are also selecting a nominee to challenge Gov. Wes Moore.

In Utah, Democrats are competing in a newly redrawn 1st District centered on Salt Lake City. Former Rep. Ben McAdams, state Sen. Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed and Michael Farrell are seeking the nomination in a seat analysts say could give Democrats their first Utah House member since 2018.