New York Democratic primary heats up as progressives and centrists clash ahead of June 24 vote
As New York voters head to the polls in the New York Democratic primary on June 24, 2026, multiple high-profile contests will shape the party’s message and the balance of power in the US House. The primary will determine Democratic nominees in districts across the city and surrounding suburbs, with several races testing the electoral reach of democratic socialists and progressive coalitions. Outcomes in swing districts outside the city could be decisive for control of Congress in November.
Primary day logistics
Early voting in New York ran from June 13 to June 21, and on Tuesday, June 24, polls will open at 6:00 a.m. Eastern and close at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. The timing and turnout patterns in the city’s many safely Democratic districts mean the primary, rather than the general election, often decides who takes office.
Many New York City congressional districts are reliably Democratic, making the primary the de facto contest, while suburban seats on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley are viewed as toss-ups where November outcomes could swing control of the House.
Lander versus Goldman centers on Israel policy
In New York’s 10th District, progressive challenger Brad Lander is mounting a close primary challenge to incumbent Dan Goldman, with Israeli policy emerging as the defining issue. Lander, a former city comptroller, has publicly condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, using terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid” and calling for restrictions on US arms transfers to Israel.
Goldman has rejected those characterizations while criticizing aspects of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and has emphasized his support for Israel’s security. Goldman’s campaign has attracted establishment endorsements and support from groups aligned with pro-Israel interests, while Lander draws backing from democratic socialists and progressive figures.
Their contest illustrates broader Democratic tensions over Israel and Palestine policy, and close polling suggests the race will be decided by turnout and ranking choices from allied progressive voters.
DSA contests test insurgent organizing in Manhattan and the Bronx
Two primaries in upper Manhattan and the Bronx have turned into a litmus test for the Democratic Socialists of America’s influence after the group’s role in recent municipal victories. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old community organiser endorsed by the DSA, has mounted a serious challenge to long-serving Representative Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District.
Espaillat, first elected in 2017 and noted for his advocacy on immigration issues, has criticized Avila Chevalier’s past social media statements and framed her as inexperienced. The campaign has also pivoted to competing stances on Israel and refugee policy, with outside spending from groups aligned with pro-Israel interests seeking to blunt the progressive surge.
The outcome will signal whether insurgent grassroots campaigns can unseat entrenched incumbents in diverse, majority-minority districts where questions of representation and generational change are salient.
A left-leaning fight for Brooklyn and Queens
In the 7th District, which spans parts of northern Brooklyn and western Queens, Claire Valdez and Antonio Reynoso are competing in a primary shaped by overlapping progressive platforms. Both candidates support ambitious reforms, including dismantling US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and restricting military aid to Israel, but they represent different progressive constituencies.
Reynoso, the Brooklyn borough president, has labor union backing and the endorsement of outgoing Representative Nydia Velázquez, while Valdez positions herself as part of a new generation of policy-makers focused on inequality and housing. Supporters argue the two candidates provide distinct visions of sustained progressive governance versus a more grassroots, activist-driven approach.
The race underscores how intra-left differences—experience, coalition-building and local ties—are influencing primary voters even when policy goals align.
Manhattan’s crowded primary draws national attention
Manhattan’s 12th District features one of the most crowded and high-profile Democratic primaries following Representative Jerrold Nadler’s decision to step down. The field includes Jack Schlossberg, a member of the Kennedy family with a strong social media presence; Alex Bores, an assemblyman prioritizing AI regulation; Micah Lasher, an experienced legislator; and George Conway, a former Republican turned vocal critic of President Trump.
Early surveys once showed Schlossberg with an edge, but more recent polling has tightened, elevating Bores and Lasher as leading contenders. Outside groups have poured in funding, and the contest is attracting attention for its mix of celebrity, policy specialization and the potential return of a Kennedy to Congress.
The Manhattan primary will test whether name recognition or issue-focused campaigns can deliver victory in a diverse, high-turnout district.
Hudson Valley and Long Island races could decide November
Outside the city, Democrats are focused on flipping a vulnerable Republican seat in New York’s 17th District, where Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican, represents a district that leans Democratic. Five Democrats are competing for the nomination, including former national security adviser Cait Conley, county legislator Beth Davidson, veteran John Cappello, progressive Effie Phillips-Staley and attorney-journalist Mike Sacks.
Recent polls have shown Conley leading the field, but the primary remains competitive as candidates emphasize national security, affordability and local economic issues. Victory in this primary is viewed as a prerequisite for Democrats aiming to recapture the seat in November and widen their path to a House majority.
Winning suburban swing districts will be a key part of Democratic strategy if the party hopes to offset potential losses in more conservative regions.
The New York Democratic primary on June 24 will not only shape the city’s congressional delegation but also offer a snapshot of where the party stands on foreign policy, social justice and the balance between insurgent and establishment power within its ranks.
