US Representative Dan Goldman suffered a defeat in a New York primary election, highlighting a successful night for candidates supported by democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The results underscore a push to shift the Democratic Party toward more progressive stances. Goldman, a two-term incumbent, was ousted by challenger Brad Lander in the 10th congressional district, a race deeply influenced by opposing views on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Lander, who has characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, secured a decisive victory over Goldman, who maintained support from pro-Israel organizations. In other results, democratic socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier also won their respective primaries. Valdez unseated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, while Chevalier defeated five-term congressman Adriano Espaillat. These wins provide a significant boost to the left wing of the party in New York City.
Lander, who also received an endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders, secured over 65% of the vote. In a statement following the results, he emphasized that voters are seeking leaders prepared to confront authoritarianism. Goldman, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune who led the initial impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, accepted the loss after initially facing backlash for his defense of Israel.
Elsewhere, political newcomer Jack Schlossberg was defeated by assemblymember Micah Lasher in the 12th district race to succeed Jerry Nadler. Conservative lawyer George Conway also failed to gain traction, receiving approximately 6% of the vote. While Mayor Mamdani advocates for these shifts to prioritize working-class interests, some national Democratic figures remain concerned about the broader appeal of these candidates to moderate voters in upcoming elections.
