Mamdani backed candidates win three New York House seats

Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez won New York congressional races in the 2026 midterm elections, taking seats in districts where they had secured Democratic nominations with the support of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Governor Kathy Hochul also won re-election, defeating Republican Bruce Blakeman, according to reported election results. Lander will represent the 10th Congressional District, Avila Chevalier the 13th and Valdez the 7th. The three candidates had been widely expected to prevail in the heavily Democratic districts after winning their party primaries in June. They are among Mamdani-endorsed candidates whose victories extend the mayor’s influence into the next Congress. The winners have different political backgrounds and priorities. Lander, a former New York City comptroller, campaigned on issues including U.S. military aid to Israel and restrictions on congressional stock trading. Avila Chevalier, a community organizer, has advocated redirecting military spending toward domestic needs. Valdez, a state Assembly member and former union organizer, has supported stronger labor protections, including the federal Protecting the Right to...