Key facts
- New York congressional candidates are making final campaign efforts before Tuesday's primary.
- Several races are seen as a test of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political influence.
- Mamdani is actively supporting three House candidates.
- Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is running in a Manhattan district.
- George Conway, an attorney and critic of Donald Trump, is also competing in Schlossberg's district.
- Darializa Avila Chevalier is challenging U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
- Brad Lander, endorsed by Mamdani, is challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman.
- Claire Valdez is seeking to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez with Mamdani's support.
- Some candidates are questioning Senator Chuck Schumer's future leadership, citing a desire for new leadership in the Democratic Party.
New York congressional candidates are making their final appeals to voters ahead of Tuesday's primary election. The races are being closely watched as a test of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political influence and his ability to leverage excitement from his mayoral win to reshape the city's congressional delegation.
Mamdani is actively promoting his slate of three House candidates, appearing in campaign videos and hosting rallies. He has stated, "The party of the past will not be what leads us into the future. We need a Democratic Party with backbone."
In one closely watched contest, Jack Schlossberg, 33, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is seeking a congressional seat representing part of Manhattan. He faces competition from state Assembly members Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, with Bores focusing on regulating artificial intelligence. George Conway, an attorney and former critic of Donald Trump, is also in this race.
Mamdani has not endorsed in the Schlossberg race but is supporting other candidates. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist, is challenging U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Former city Comptroller Brad Lander received Mamdani's endorsement in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman. Mamdani is also backing Claire Valdez in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.
A rising populist tide is also evident, with some candidates questioning Senator Chuck Schumer's suitability for reelection in 2028. Many candidates expressed a desire for new leadership within the Democratic Party, citing dissatisfaction with past election outcomes and the party's ability to counter Donald Trump.