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Democrats were shocked when a trio of anti-Israel, socialist candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani swept Tuesday’s New York House primary races, warning that their ascendance represents a changing of the guard for the party as voters embrace the far left.

“The roof is collapsing on the Democratic Party establishment tonight,” progressive political activist and CNN commentator Van Jones told Kaitlan Collins as election results rolled in.

“And you can’t write off New York City because this … is a power center for the establishment and the insurgency. And they’re going head to head tonight,” he said.


  Mamdani embraces Brad Lander, who won his primary against Rep. Dan Goldman. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy Mamdani embraces Brad Lander, who won his primary against Rep. Dan Goldman. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy

“And right now, this is no longer a movement. This is a movement and a machine at the same time. And there’s just no way to sugarcoat this: If Mamdani pulls off a hat trick, this is a new era in Democratic Party politics.”

Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander trounced Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District, while radical leftist and Democratic Socialists of America-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier pulled off a stunning AOC-style upset over Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th.

Rep. Claire Valdez steamrolled Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th by more than 20 points.

US Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), whose independent streak has rankled his own party since his own surprise victory in 2022, didn’t hold back in voicing his consternation about Tuesday’s results when speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity.

“This has become the dancing days of the dirtbag left,” he said.

“Some of these candidates are outrageous. You have candidates, they [want to] abolish ICE, abolish police, abolish the border. She even said ‘f Kamala Harris’ and more of these outrageous kinds of things,” the senator said, referencing a deleted, expletive-laced social media post by Chevalier in 2021.


  Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier won her primary on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. AP Photo/Seth Wenig Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier won her primary on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

  Claire Valdez was endorsed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Jaysun Silver/Shutterstock Claire Valdez was endorsed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Jaysun Silver/Shutterstock

Fetterman spared some ire for leftist kingmaker Mamdani, who he said was “grieving a Hamas sniper who [was] killed by Israel just the other day,” referring to Al Jazeera journalist Ahmed Wishah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike and who Israel Defense Forces claimed was a Hamas triggerman.

He said the slate of candidates who won their races represent the “full pro-Hamas wing” of the party who have declared “war on regular Democrats.”

Other moderate Dems said the election results highlight the party’s ongoing identity crisis.

“People who do not support the DSA wring their hands at cocktail parties, while the DSA is organizing,” NY Rep. Tom Suozzi, co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told Axios.

“Economic insecurity, climate change and immigrant justice 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 left,” he said.

“It was a tough night,” Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY) told the outlet, while another moderate House Democrat speaking on the condition of anonymity called the results an “earthquake” and “huge defeat” for establishment Democrats.


  Sen. John Fetterman was shocked by NYC’s election results. Fox News Sen. John Fetterman was shocked by NYC’s election results. Fox News

“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,” they added.

The anonymous centrist Democrat said the incoming wave of Democratic socialists will be a “migraine” for party leadership starting next year.

“Calling it a headache is an understatement,” the lawmaker said.

“Holy s–t,” another senior House Democrat told the outlet. “Buckle up.”

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