Socialist "earthquake" leaves Democrats reeling

Axios ^ | 06/24/2026 | Andrew Solender

[Responsibility2nd]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander attend an election night party in New York City on June 23. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

House Democrats were left stunned on Tuesday night after two of their colleagues — including the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — lost primaries to left-wing challengers.

Why it matters: The New York primary results are poised to double the bloc of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Congress, something that is not sitting well with some moderates.

• "People who do not support the DSA wring their hands at cocktail parties, while the DSA is organizing," Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios.
• Another centrist House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis, called the results an "earthquake" and a "huge defeat" for Democratic leadership.
• "It was a tough night," said Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), a close ally of leadership and the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, told Axios.

Driving the news:

• Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) lost re-election in a landslide to progressive former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who led by more than 30 percentage points as of late Tuesday night.
• Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the Hispanic Caucus chair, lost his primary more narrowly to democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, according to the Associated Press.
• In the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), democratic socialist state Assembly member Claire Valdez won a comfortable double-digit victory over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

Between the lines: Lander, Avila Chevalier and Valdez were all backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Espaillat and Goldman.

• Jeffries also hinted at a preference for Reynoso on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters the Brooklyn Borough president was backed by "a coalition of very progressive Democrats ... and many of the unions that we've worked closely with."
• He also noted pointedly that it is "the most gentrified district in the nation, by far," a nod to moderate complaints that DSAers are propped up by young, white, well-educated transplants.

What they're saying:

• "The progressive energy is clearly very high," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, told Axios. She added: "Clearly Mayor Mamdani's endorsement and turnout machine really does matter, as do candidates who are willing to stand up to AIPAC."
• "The progressives beat the establishment in the heart of NYC," said progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). "The energy of our party is clearly with the left."

The other side: Suozzi said it is time for the Democrats' moderate wing to "wake up" to the threat posed to them by the democratic socialists.

• "Economic insecurity, climate change and immigrant injustice are all real problems, and alternative solutions must be offered. It's time for a great deal of hard work to out organize the extremists on the right and the left!"
• The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously said the results show that "appeasement doesn't work. You have to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You can't win with these guys by playing patty cake."
• A senior House Democrat, asked if their colleagues were worried about the results, said: "Yes they are."

The intrigue: While Goldman's loss was widely expected — "I feel terrible about Dan, but everyone predicted that one," said the senior House Democrat — Espaillat's race blindsided some members.

• Espaillat "sounded very confident" before the results came in on Tuesday night, another House Democrat told Axios, adding that "the low turnout led many to think Adriano would be ok."
• By the end of the night, however, there was "lots of silence" in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' text chat, this lawmaker said.

Party leadership is looking to dust itself off and move on, with a source close to the Jeffries operation telling Axios he is laser-focused on winning back the House in November.

Establishment Democrats looked to the primary victories of centrists like Cait Conley in the New York City suburbs and former Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah as the silver linings of the night.

The bottom line: The centrist House Democrat who spoke anonymously predicted the sudden influx of democratic socialists will be a "migraine" for leadership come 2027.

• "Calling it a headache is an understatement," the lawmaker said.
• "Holy sh*t," said a second senior House Democrat. "Buckle up."

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: democraticparty; dsa; mamdani; socialism; socialists

[Responsibility2nd]

Moderate Democrats are freaking out.

[ClearCase_guy]

The Democrat Party has, for years, marched in lock step. Leadership says “Vote this way” and they all vote that way. Fetterman seems to have been about the first crack in the dam because he’s not quite as radical as the “moderate” Democrat leadership. Now with so many Democrat Socialists coming in, I think there will be a growing number of moderate Democrats who might actually say “I can’t go for that. No can do.”

[blackdog]

A quote from Donald Rumsfeld is appropriate today.

" Feeding the alligators, hoping they will eat you last".

[pas]

Are they blind or just stupid. Everyone else has saw this for a long time.

[eyeamok]

The National Socialist Democrat Workers Party resurrected.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I don’t think so. No knockout punch unless purple areas in other states feel the alarm. I could be wrong. We’ll see.

[Alas Babylon!]

Well, I’m not freaking out, but it is slightly concerning, given how touch-and-go our national level elections have been, both with the Presidency and Congress.

Just another reason to fight democrats being in charge of anything.

[ViLaLuz]

The brainwashed youth are coming into their own. This has been in the making for at least a couple decades. The root is extensive, it’s just finally manifesting.

[Leaning Right]

History has taught us that a small, well-organized, and committed group can often overwhelm a larger and lethargic group.

The Democratic Socialists of America is that small group.

Who has the weight in the Democrat party to oppose them? I was going to say Obama. But he probably thinks this new development is great.

[MoreMAGA]

Yes, stupid they are

[Kudsman]

Just break out the armbands already. Sieg heil mein schatz.

[MoreMAGA]

We should call them “Dazis”

[DownInFlames]

Centered in major Blue cities right now. Control the cities, and you will control the state until the city is empty.

[Kudsman]

Perfect. Do you think any GOPe would be so bold to go there though? No doubt the POTUS would.

[DownInFlames]

All thanks should be owed to the education system from K-Grad school.

[MoreMAGA]

Start using whenever speaking/posting of Dems

[nwrep]

Why are they worried?

[Kudsman]

10-4. Will do. Thx.

[Carl Vehse]

It’s time to build a wall around the dystopian New York City and declared it a maximun security prison.

[Vermont Lt]

It’s all fun and games until they come for YOUR stuff.

I cannot wait for them to solve crime, clean the streets, and house the homeless.