The kingmaker who stunned the US Democratic establishment – again

June 26, 2026 — 3:44pm

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Washington: Zohran Mamdani’s rise from the New York statehouse to international fame was swift and striking. And after cruising to victory as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, and its second democratic socialist, his political star has only continued to rise.

On Tuesday night (New York time), he proved himself a kingmaker in the three electoral contests in which he endorsed candidates and helped with the campaigns. Two of the successful candidates are also card-carrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America, while a third, former city comptroller Brad Lander, is a strongly progressive Democrat.

They each won the Democratic primary in their respective congressional districts; all three will be expected to win a seat in the House of Representatives in November.

In two cases, Mamdani’s candidates beat incumbent politicians who were running again. In district 13, which includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Adriano Espaillat, was ousted by Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old PhD student and first-time candidate who previously helped organise pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University.

The results stunned the Democratic establishment – again. They showed the weight of Mamdani’s endorsement could defeat the money and experience of the party machine. And they showed that Democratic voters – at least in New York – are still moving leftwards.

“It was a big victory for Mamdani, who took a big risk to wade into these primaries,” progressive Democratic........

© The Age