Mamdani’s Upset Win Sparks Progressive Push to Primary New York’s Congressional Democrats

Zohran Mamdani’s surprise mayoral victory has energized New York City progressives and set off a wave of talk about primary challenges to several incumbent members of Congress. Organizers and elected progressives who helped build Mamdani’s coalition are weighing bids and targeting districts where left-leaning challengers believe momentum and expanded grassroots infrastructure could produce upsets.

What’s at stake

Progressive groups that invested heavily in Mamdani — including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and allied organizations — see an opening to push federal Democrats to the left or replace them with more activist-minded representatives. Some prospective contests would pit insurgent progressives against prominent Democrats, raising tensions over strategy, priorities and the cost of intra-party fights.

Who’s considering runs and who’s already running

Councilmembers Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés have been reported to be weighing primary challenges to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Dan Goldman, respectively, and both have sought support from the NYC DSA chapter. Left-leaning challengers are also emerging to contest Reps. Ritchie Torres, Adriano Espaillat and Grace Meng. Darializa Avila Chevalier has received an endorsement from Justice Democrats in a primary bid against Espaillat.

Chuck Park, a former foreign service officer who most recently worked at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, is mounting a leftward challenge to Rep. Grace Meng, criticizing her for accepting corporate donations and for what he calls insufficient focus on affordability.

Momentum, strategy and internal debates

Organizers point to Mamdani’s trajectory — rising from roughly 1 percent in early polling to winning both the primary and general election — as proof that a disciplined ground game and energized volunteers can change expected outcomes.

“Mamdani’s win absolutely has energized and put a set of excitement for not only socialists and left-leaning people or progressives, but anybody that is desirous of a change,” said Andre Easton, who launched a campaign against Rep. Ritchie Torres.

At the same time, Mamdani has urged caution about primarying fellow Democrats in ways that could jeopardize passing key parts of his municipal agenda. Reports say he discouraged the DSA from endorsing Ossé’s potential challenge to Jeffries; the NYC-DSA ultimately voted against endorsing that bid, leaving Ossé’s prospects uncertain.

Some strategists argue that many incumbent Democrats remain deeply popular in their home districts. Observers note that Jeffries and Torres, in particular, still enjoy strong local support, which could make successful primaries difficult.

Open seats and future opportunities

The announced retirements of Reps. Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez next year create immediate openings that have already attracted significant interest. Nadler’s seat, for example, has drawn multiple declared challengers, and Velázquez’s departure is expected to spur similar competition, presenting clearer opportunities for new progressive voices to win federal office.

Building a pipeline

Even where immediate victories are unlikely, activists say Mamdani’s campaign expanded the bench of organizers and volunteers who will run and staff future races. The NYC-DSA reports membership growth that organizers say has strengthened their capacity to support more campaigns. Leaders note that college chapters and youth organizers activated by recent races are likely to play key roles in coming campaigns.

“You’re going to see a lot of these young organizers who were activated by the Zohran campaign moving on to other races, whether they’re local, state, or federal, and I know that they’re going to play a crucial role in building up true working-class power,” said Sebastian Leon Martinez, coordinator of the DSA’s New York City youth branch.

As progressives weigh whether to press their advantage or consolidate behind governing priorities, the next election cycle will test whether Mamdani’s win was the start of a broader realignment or a high-profile but isolated upset.