In New York, congressional candidates have one last opportunity to appeal to voters on the final day of campaigning before a significant primary election. This election showcases a rising progressive left challenging established Democratic figures. These races evaluate Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s influence and whether his momentum from last year can impact the city’s congressional representation.
Mamdani, a young democratic socialist, actively supports his chosen three House candidates. He has used his influence in campaign videos and hosted a rally with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to support his preferred candidates. Mamdani emphasizes a need for a more determined Democratic Party, stating, “The party of the past will not be what leads us into the future.”
Another notable race involves Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy. Schlossberg, 33, hopes to capitalize on his family’s legacy and social media presence to win a congressional seat representing part of Manhattan. His campaign faces strong opposition from Alex Bores and Micah Lasher. Bores, a state Assembly member, actively engages in the debate on artificial intelligence regulation and highlights significant tech industry opposition to his candidacy. Lasher, also a state Assembly member, has extensive experience in New York politics and enjoys support from many Democratic leaders in the state. The race also includes George Conway, known for his criticism of former President Trump.
In the closing stages of his campaign, Schlossberg gathered support from former host of “The Late Show,” David Letterman. Additionally, his mother, Caroline Kennedy, featured in a campaign advertisement for him. Meanwhile, Lasher engaged directly with voters, and Bores released an ad addressing the threats of AI and tech industry spending against him. Mamdani has not endorsed a candidate in this contest, focusing instead on three other congressional races.
Among these is the challenge by Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist backed by Mamdani, against U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat. Espaillat, the first Dominican American elected to Congress, represents a district covering northern Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. He criticized Avila Chevalier for past divisive social media posts. Avila Chevalier expressed remorse during a recent debate, particularly for a crude post about former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Former city Comptroller Brad Lander has Mamdani’s endorsement in his bid to unseat Dan Goldman, a Democrat and current U.S. Representative. Lander, seen celebrating the Knicks’ NBA championship at City Hall, highlights his alignment with Mamdani. Conversely, Goldman, who did not support Mamdani in the mayoral race, emphasizes his own legislative accomplishments.
Mamdani also backs Claire Valdez, a former state Assembly colleague, in her campaign against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for the seat succeeding retiring U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez. Both Reynoso and Valdez are progressives with similar policy views, but Valdez positions herself as a potential Mamdani ally in Congress.
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