At least nine prominent Democratic House incumbents are facing primary challenges in the midterms from opponents on their left flank who, in some cases, are much younger.
Democratic Socialists have the wind at their backs following the elections earlier this month of New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson, and prominent House Democrats now find themselves the next target of these political upstarts.
A handful of the Democrats being primaried are New York lawmakers, including Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Dan Goldman, Grace Meng and Ritchie Torres.
Mr. Jeffries received good news over the weekend when Mr. Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the most well-known democratic socialists in New York, ran interference for Mr. Jeffries, the House minority leader, to help his re-election.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez recently told reporters she did not think it was a “good idea” for New York City Councilman Chi Ossé, a democratic socialist, to challenge Mr. Jeffries for the House seat in Brooklyn.
Mr. Mamdani went as far as to urge his fellow members of the Democratic Socialists of America allies not to endorse Mr. Osse over Mr. Jeffries last weekend, and Mr. Osse ultimately did not receive the endorsement of the organization’s New York City chapter.
Other New York Democratic incumbents have yet to receive the same high-profile support on the far left as Mr. Jeffries, who many believe is the likely choice to become speaker if the Democrats recapture the House.
New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés, another democratic socialist, is exploring a challenge against Mr. Goldman in the 10th Congressional District.
A recent poll commissioned by Stand Up Action Inc. showed that Ms. Avilés is in a good position to expand a campaign against Mr. Goldman if she chooses to primary him.
Outgoing New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is reportedly also considering a run against Mr. Goldman.
A September poll by Demand Progress showed that Mr. Lander would defeat Mr. Goldman by a 19-point margin, 52% to 33%, in a hypothetical one-on-one contest.
Mr. Ritchie is expected to go up against Legal Aid staff attorney, community board member and Democratic Socialists of America organizer Dalourny Nemorin. Mr. Torres represents the 15th Congressional District, which is the poorest in the country, since he won the seat in 2020.
He did not face a primary challenge in 2024, but along with Ms. Nemorin, he’ll be in a crowded primary next year against former Assembly Member Michael Blake, Jose Vega and Andre Easton.
Ms. Meng is being challenged by a 40-year-old former diplomat and city government worker from Queens, making it the second time she has faced a primary opponent in the last 10 years.
Chuck Park recently served as the vice president of public affairs at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and described himself as more liberal than Ms. Meng.
“I think her election in 2012 was truly a high watermark for the rise of Asian Americans, and it was a proud moment for the entire community in Queens,” Mr. Park told The Queens Eagle. “But I’ve been disappointed to see what’s happened in the 12 years since then.”
Ms. Meng has disputed that she is out of touch with voters. She said she is “committed” to fighting the Trump administration and for the affordability issues that brought voters to the polls to vote for Mr. Mamdani.
Other incumbent Democrats being primaried include Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, Wesley Bell of Missouri, Jimmy Gomez of California, Ed Case of Hawaii, Steve Cohen of Tennessee and David Scott of Georgia.
