Jeffries congratulates NYC democratic socialists on their House primary wins
After spending days fielding questions about the New York City democratic socialists who won their House primaries, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Saturday congratulated them — even the two who handily defeated incumbents Jeffries had backed.
“Congratulations to our newest members of the NYC congressional delegation. From public servants to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same,” the New York Democrat wrote in a post on X. “We must decisively address the affordability crisis and crush far-right extremism!”
Jeffries also applauded other Democrats who won their House primaries on Saturday. But his post about New York City’s candidates was notable; three of four of them are Democratic Socialists of America candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Their wins on Tuesday fueled tensions between the party establishment and its left-wing faction — and raised questions about Jeffries’ political future.
In New York’s 10th congressional district, former City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated the Jeffries-endorsed Rep. Dan Goldman. In the 13th district, Darializa Avila Chevalier pulled off a stunning victory over Rep. Adriano Espaillat, whom Jeffries also backed. State Assembly member Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who had the endorsement of outgoing Rep. Nydia Velazquez in the 7th district.
Recommended
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.
