US Congressman Dan Goldman has suffered defeat in a primary election in New York. This means that the candidates supported by New York’s democratic socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani have won a clear victory.
Goldman lost to progressive challenger Brad Lander in New York’s 10th Congressional District in a contest that exposed the party’s divisions over the Israel-Gaza war.
Lander has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Goldman, who served two terms, was supported by pro-Israel groups.
Two other candidates, both democratic socialists who are backed by Mamdani as he seeks to steer the Democratic Party to the left, won their primaries on Tuesday, strengthening the party’s left wing in America’s largest city.
Rep. Claire Valdez replaced Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a graduate student who joined pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, won her race in New York’s 13th District.
She toppled Adriano Espaillat, who held the district for five terms and is chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a body that advocates for legislation and resources for Hispanic Americans.
Mamdani celebrated her victory, describing Chevalier as a person of “clarity, conscience and conviction.”
Lander, who was also endorsed by Vermont Democratic Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, beat Goldman 65.7% to 34.1% with most votes counted.
He also received praise from Mamdani, who touted Lander’s “vision of politics that is more than what we have seen for so long.”
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The former New York comptroller’s bid against Goldman, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, was seen as a test of Mamdani’s political influence.
According to the BBC’s US news partner CBS, Goldman said he called Lander to congratulate him.
“Tonight the voters of the 10th District spoke. Although this is not the result I worked so hard for, I respect their decision,” Goldman said.
US President Donald Trump called Goldman “weak and pathetic” after the race, adding that the congressman “just lost, BIG!”
