NYC Democrats locked in contentious congressional primary fights as high-stakes midterms loom

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Mar 28, 2026

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NEW YORK — New York City voters are facing an unusually busy and contentious array of Democratic congressional primary fights as retirements and at least one potent challenge to an incumbent shake up what would normally be snoozy party coronations.

At least three congressional districts in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens are looking at highly unpredictable contests in the June 23 Democratic primaries that are almost certain to pick the next members of Congress for the deep-blue seats as the high-stakes midterm elections loom.

Ambitious rising stars including the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, two prominent state lawmakers and a strident anti-Trump pundit, are all vying to replace long-serving Manhattan Rep. Jerry Nadler in the NY-12th.

Across the East River, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has the backing of retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez while Mayor Zohran Mamdani is supporting progressive ally Assemblywoman Claire Valdez in a district that snakes through parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

And former city Controller Brad Lander hopes topple two-term Rep. Dan Goldman in an NY-10 battle that could in part turn into a Brooklyn vs. Manhattan battle of political heavyweights.

Pundits say rising anger at President Donald Trump has emboldened Democratic insurgents to take on establishment figures in their own party.

“We’re seeing more competitive Democratic primaries this cycle because Democrats are deeply dissatisfied with their own party’s representatives in Washington,” said Jacob Rubashkin, an analyst with the non-partisan Inside Elections group. “The winds of generational change are blowing hard too.”

Here’s a closer look at the biggest races:

—NY-12: Battle for liberal bastion

The race to replace Nadler is shaping up as a major Democratic dogfight for the wealthy and liberal district spanning the Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Upper West Side.

Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a protege of Nadler and a liberal supporter of Israel, has spent years cultivating grass-roots support and has the support of the incumbent along with ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

But Jack Schlossberg, the youthful Kennedy scion, is a social media powerhouse and has grabbed plenty of buzz.

Assemblyman Alex Bores has stirred up national progressive backing, leads in fundraising and has support from ex-Rep. Caroline Maloney. Conservative lawyer George Conway has made a big name for himself as a frequent critic of Trump on cable TV.

—NY-10: Incumbent in the crosshairs

Dan Goldman finds himself in a very rare spot: a New York Democratic incumbent in political trouble.

A wealthy lawyer and strong supporter of Israel, Goldman helped lead the first Trump impeachment. But he’s been a progressive target ever since he edged to a win in a crowded 2022 primary for what was then a newly created district.

Lander is an affable progressive with deep roots in brownstone Brooklyn, where the majority of primary votes will be cast. He transformed his losing 2025 mayoral campaign into a headline-grabbing bromance partnership with Mamdani.

Early polls give Lander the edge, but Goldman won’t go down easily or without an expensive fight.

—NY-7: Progressive battleground

The district was drawn to elect a Hispanic candidate and boasts one of the most progressive electorates in the entire nation.

The race between Reynoso and Valdez is shaping up as a proxy war between otherwise allies Velazquez and Mamdani, who racked up his biggest victory margin here of any congressional district in the city.

Reynoso, who grew up in Williamsburg, has lined up far more endorsements from fellow elected officials and community groups.

Valdez, a rookie state lawmaker and former union organizer, moved to NYC from Texas as a young adult, a path that mirrors that of many in the fast-changing district.

Some analysts warn not to underestimate Valdez’s ability to harness the same enthusiasm and anti-establishment anger that catapulted Mamdani to his own surprise Gracie Mansion win.

—Suburban swing races

Outside the city limits, the political dynamic is very different in two suburban swing districts held by GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in Westchester County and north New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

With Democrats eyeing an anti-Trump blue wave in the fall midterm general elections, Lawler and Kean top national lists of vulnerable Republican incumbents that Democrats hope to unseat as they try to retake the House in the fall.

The Republican pair only narrowly held onto their wealthy and well-educated districts in 2024 when the GOP enjoyed political winds at its back. Crowded fields of Democrats are lining up to take advantage of an expected swing to Team Blue in 2026.”