Adams-backed candidates win NY House primaries, fueling party divisions

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has seen three candidates he publicly endorsed secure victories in the Democratic primary races for the House of Representatives, signaling a potential escalation of the ideological battle within the party. The wins by candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists and progressive wing are expected to further sharpen the divide between them and the party's moderate mainstream.

Brad Lander, a close associate of Adams, defeated incumbent Daniel Goldman in the 10th congressional district. Claire Valdez, another candidate supported by the mayor, won handily in the 7th district against Antonio Reynoso. In a notable upset, Dariyalisa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student and first-time candidate, narrowly defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the 13th district.

These victories are largely attributed to Mayor Adams's vigorous campaigning. Unlike previous New York City mayors who maintained distance from primary contests, Adams actively recruited and supported progressive candidates in districts where they had a strong chance of winning, even before his own mayoral victory was confirmed. He participated in fundraising events and tirelessly campaigned at rallies.

The success of Adams's chosen candidates is poised to intensify the ideological struggle between the Democratic Socialists and the moderate wing of the Democratic Party. Adams himself framed the election as a referendum on the future direction of the Democratic Party. Concerns are mounting, particularly among moderate Democrats and those worried about the party's electability in the upcoming November midterm elections, that the progressive candidates' policies and rhetoric could provide ammunition for Republican attacks and alienate key donors.

A significant point of contention is the anti-Israel stance adopted by some of the winning candidates, which is causing considerable ripples within the party. New York City is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States, making the election of candidates critical of Israel a complex issue. Lander, who is Jewish, defeated Goldman, who received support from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. Chevalier has been a vocal advocate for Palestine. This shift reflects a changing public opinion, with a recent Pew Research poll indicating that 60% of Americans, and 80% of Democrats, hold negative views of Israel. This evolving landscape could potentially draw progressive voters, particularly younger ones who strongly support the Palestinian cause, towards the Democratic Party.

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This fight was between the old guard detached from reality and the Jewish left with a true vision for our community based on the dignity of all people.