Primary Elections Across Four States
Mamdani's Endorsements Impact New York Politics as Four States Hold Primaries
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored a clean sweep on June 23, with all three of his endorsed congressional candidates winning their primaries — including a stunning upset in NY-13, where 32-year-old political newcomer Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat by a 49% to 46% margin, according to City & State NY. The results mark the most dramatic reshaping of New York's congressional delegation in years.
The same night, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson won the GOP gubernatorial runoff, and former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams claimed the Democratic primary in Utah's newly drawn Salt Lake City district with 60% of the vote, per CBS News. Four states, four defining races — and one mayor emerging as the night's biggest political winner.
Mamdani's Progressive Slate Routs the Democratic Establishment
Mamdani backed three candidates running in safe Democratic seats around New York City. Brad Lander, the former NYC Comptroller, beat moderate incumbent Dan Goldman in NY-10. Claire Valdez crushed her rivals in NY-7 with 58% of the vote, compared to second-place Antonio Reynoso's 33%, according to City & State NY. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez had endorsed Reynoso, making his loss a direct rebuke of the party establishment.
The biggest shock came in NY-13. Chevalier, a doctoral student and pro-Palestinian activist, had never held office. Yet she toppled Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a race that drew over $9 million in outside super PAC spending, per City & State NY. Justice Democrats and NYC's Democratic Socialists of America backed her campaign. Axios called Espaillat's loss a "major blow to the Democratic Party establishment."
How Mamdani Turned City Hall Into a Political Weapon
Since taking office on January 1, 2026, Mamdani has used the mayoralty to push the Democratic Party left. He campaigned publicly with all three candidates and framed the races in national terms. "A city we can all afford is on the ballot," he said, "so is a Democratic Party that can win in 2028 and beyond," according to The Washington Post.
The primaries also became a proxy war over U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine. Mamdani called AIPAC "monsters" using "dark money" to divide the party, per CBS News. Pro-Israel groups fired back, saying Mamdani relied on "anti-Israel tropes" to drive turnout. Analysts at The Washington Post suggest Mamdani's sweep may be a test run for a 2028 national platform or a bid to control New York's Democratic apparatus.
Utah's New Map Opens the Door for Ben McAdams' Comeback
In Utah, a court-ordered redistricting created a Democratic-friendly district centered on Salt Lake City — the first of its kind in the state in years. McAdams, who previously represented Utah's 4th District, seized the opening. He won the Democratic primary for the new 1st District with 60.21% of the vote, or 21,422 ballots, against three challengers, according to Utah election results cited by Axios.
McAdams now enters the general election as the favorite in the newly drawn seat. The redistricting dramatically changed Utah's political map, giving Democrats a realistic path to a House seat in a state that has leaned heavily Republican for decades.
South Carolina and Maryland Round Out a Busy Primary Night
In South Carolina, Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican gubernatorial runoff, defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Neither candidate had cleared 50% in the June 9 first round, forcing a runoff. Wilson framed his win as the start of a movement focused on "affordability, government accountability and conservative reforms," per The State. His victory came even after former President Trump had hedged by endorsing both candidates late in the race, according to PBS.
In Maryland, all eight congressional districts held contested primaries. Former Steny Hoyer staffer Adrian Boafo won the open MD-5 seat after a 24-candidate field vied to succeed the longtime House leader, per The Banner. Gov. Wes Moore also secured his Democratic nomination for a second term in a state where Democrats hold a 7-1 advantage in congressional seats, according to Wikipedia.
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