Clean sweep as 3 candidates endorsed by Mamdani win primaries in New York

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani showcased his political influence on Tuesday, achieving a significant victory as all three of his endorsed congressional candidates progressed to the general election in November. This feat involved the removal of two Democratic incumbent congressmen, marking a pivotal moment in New York’s political landscape.

The state witnessed a series of high-profile races on Tuesday, with primaries also taking place in Maryland and Utah, along with primary runoffs in South Carolina. In New York’s 7th Congressional District, Mamdani’s support for state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez proved successful as she emerged victorious over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

Similarly, in the 10th District, Mamdani-backed candidate Brad Lander secured a win over incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman. The mayor’s influence extended to the 13th District, where community advocate Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

A notable upstate race to replace retiring Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik saw businessman Anthony Constantino clinching the Republican nomination in the 21st District. Constantino, known for his bold “Vote for Trump” sign atop his Mohawk Valley Sticker Mule factory, received support from former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him in a video released just a day before the primary.

The race highlighted a division within the New York Republican Party, with the state party chair backing a different candidate. In another crucial contest, former National Security Council Counterterrorism Director Cait Conley secured the Democratic primary nomination in the 17th District, setting the stage for a showdown with Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the general election.

Moving to Maryland, state Delegate Adrian Boafo emerged as the projected winner of the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer in the 5th District. Boafo, a former aide to Hoyer, garnered endorsements from key political figures in the state, positioning himself as a frontrunner in a crowded primary.

Maryland also saw the victory of Wes Moore in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting the stage for a potential rematch with Republican nominee Dan Cox in the governor’s race. Moore’s victory solidified his position as a rising star in Democratic politics, with speculation rife about a potential presidential bid in 2028.

In South Carolina, Attorney General Alan Wilson secured a win in the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff, overcoming Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Wilson’s victory was buoyed by endorsements from prominent Republican figures in the state, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. Wilson will now face state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.

Lastly, in Utah, former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams emerged as the Democratic primary winner in the state’s 1st District. The district, now solidly blue following redistricting, presents a promising opportunity for Democrats to secure a victory in the upcoming midterms. McAdams will face Republican nominee Riley Owen, a Naval Reserve officer and former Trump White House analyst, in the general election.

Overall, the outcomes of these primary races signal significant shifts in the political landscape of New York, Maryland, South Carolina, and Utah, setting the stage for highly anticipated showdowns in the upcoming general elections.