Zohran Mamdani-backed progressive candidates won key Democratic primaries on June 22, 2026 in New York unseating or defeating high-profile rivals in NY-7, NY-10 and NY-13 and reshaping fall matchups. The results extended to upstate contests and coincided with consequential races in MarylandSouth Carolina and Utah. Last update: June 25, 2026.
The outcomes mattered for control of Congress and for the direction of the Democratic Party, as a progressive slate advanced while Republicans seized on the results to frame the national debate. The night also clarified general-election fields in multiple states, with November races in several districts expected to be competitive and potentially decisive for the House balance.
Progressive wins in NY-7, NY-10 and NY-13
In New York’s 7th Congressional District state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso who had the backing of outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez. In the 10th District former city comptroller Brad Lander beat incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman consolidating support from Mayor Mamdani after a past rivalry. In the 13th District community advocate Darializa Avila Chevalier edged Rep. Adriano Espaillat in a narrow upset that rattled the Manhattan party establishment.
The three victories signaled expanding influence for the city’s progressive bloc and altered New York’s delegation trajectory to the left. Allies framed the results as evidence that economic and social priorities aligned with voters, while critics warned about the party’s ideological shift. The contests drew heavy attention due to the incumbents’ profiles and the districts’ roles in shaping legislative coalitions in the next Congress.
Republican pushback and centrist unease
Republicans moved quickly to capitalize on the outcomes. The National Republican Congressional Committee left a bouquet at the door of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries with spokesperson Mike Marinella saying, “Three losses in one night is tough.” Former President Donald Trump celebrated Rep. Goldman’s defeat, calling him a “weak and pathetic Congressman.” Conservative commentator Christopher Rufo warned that the left had shifted “from ‘woke’ to Third-Worldism,” describing it as “a serious threat to life, liberty, and property.” Trump added, “America the Beautiful will NEVER be a Communist Country!”
Centrist Democrats signaled concern about the implications for swing-state strategy heading into November. Sen. John Fetterman criticized the pro-Palestine stance associated with the winners, while Jeffries emphasized the need to prioritize battlegrounds and was seen alongside Speaker Mike Johnson at a U.S. Semiquincentennial “time capsule” unveiling the next day. Progressive strategists countered that labeling left candidates as unelectable would fall flat with voters focused on cost-of-living pressures and public services.
Upstate New York and other key primaries
Upstate, businessman Anthony Constantino secured the Republican nomination in New York’s 21st District campaigning with a large “Vote for Trump” sign and receiving support from Donald Trump. His victory highlighted internal GOP divisions after the state party chair backed a different contender. Constantino is set to face dairy farmer Blake Gendebien the projected Democratic nominee, in a November race viewed as one of several potential tipping points for the House.
Beyond New York, the night’s map carried national weight. In Maryland’s 5th DistrictAdrian Boafo won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer backed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks. In South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff and will face state Rep. Jermaine Johnson in a general-election rematch expected to draw significant attention. In Utah’s 1st District former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams captured the Democratic nomination and will face Riley Owen a Naval Reserve officer and the Republican nominee, in a district Democrats aim to flip.
These outcomes, combined with New York’s progressive surge, set up a fall campaign defined by ideological contrast and localized economic issues. Democratic factions now face the task of unifying around messaging that resonates beyond safe districts, while Republicans test a strategy built on tying opponents to the leftward shift. Fundraising, turnout operations and district-level demographics will determine whether June’s momentum translates into November seats.
