With help from Amira McKee
PRIMARILY INTERESTING:
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s emphatic primary win has illuminated the Democratic socialist movement’s robust appeal across the city. His decisive 56-43 victory over the more centrist Andrew Cuomo has ignited a surge of enthusiasm for leftist challenges within the Democratic Party.
Pro-Cuomo legislators like state Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember David Weprin are already facing challengers, while numerous lesser-known officials who opted not to back Mamdani have seen their constituents rally overwhelmingly behind him.
Thanks to data from Sam Hudis and Competitive Advantage Research, Playbook has pinpointed 23 Democratic-dominated legislative districts where Mamdani garnered over 50 percent of the initial ranked-choice votes.
Among these are five districts held by lawmakers who shunned the Working Families Party in its first round of endorsements last year, distancing themselves from the leftist politics that bolstered Mamdani’s rise. Their failure to endorse him—or their preference for Cuomo—could spell trouble come next June.
These representatives, who did not support Mamdani in the Democratic primary, include four from neighborhoods straddling Brooklyn and Queens, alongside one from Northern Manhattan.
Support from the WFP and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) will be crucial for any leftist challenger aiming to unseat an incumbent, though both groups have indicated it’s premature to discuss next year’s primaries.
“The WFP is focused on winning in November, alongside Zohran Mamdani and our other endorsees throughout New York,” said party spokesperson Sydney Watnick. “Our top priority right now is ensuring that working families across the state recognize and feel the efforts of their elected officials to make New York more affordable for everyone.”
Grace Mausser, co-chair of the city’s DSA chapter, stated, “Currently, our Electoral Working Group is analyzing Zohran’s historic victory to identify opportunities for expanding our movement citywide. We will host several forums this fall to engage with prospective candidates, discuss their campaigns with our members, and ultimately allow our membership to vote on endorsements.”
1. Maritza Davila. District 53.
Zohran vote share: 75%
Primary endorsement: None
First elected: 2013
In Assemblymember Maritza Davila’s district, affectionately dubbed the “Commie Corridor,” Mamdani achieved his highest first-round vote share. A staggering 75% of primary voters ranked him first, leaving Cuomo with a mere 15%.
Davila refrained from endorsing anyone in the mayoral primary, although she had previously supported the progressive Maya Wiley in the 2021 race after retracting an endorsement for former comptroller Scott Stringer amid allegations of sexual harassment he denies.
In her last primary contest in 2018, she triumphed with 82% of the vote, backed by the Working Families Party.
“The voters of Bushwick and Williamsburg have always made their voices clear on issues that matter most — rent costs, food prices, and affordable transportation,” Davila remarked. “This community strongly supported Zohran Mamdani because his message resonates with their daily struggles and the battles I’ve fought throughout my career—from securing summer SNAP dollars to advocating for rent freezes and working to make the B60 bus free.”
2. Stefani Zinerman. District 56.
Zohran vote share: 65%
Primary endorsement: None
First elected: 2020
Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman successfully fended off a competitive primary challenge last year, but left-leaning Democrats are setting their sights on her Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights district.
As a close ally of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Zinerman has become a focal point in the leader’s struggle against the DSA in his home turf. Her last race concluded with a six-point victory over Eon Huntley, thanks in part to Jeffries’ intervention.
Left-leaning City Council Member Chi Ossé, residing in Zinerman’s district, has already signaled his intent to challenge her next year.
“Her pro-landlord, pro-homelessness agenda has wreaked havoc on our neighborhoods for too long,” he declared in a lengthy statement. “Her abominable policy positions warrant a primary challenge.”
Zinerman acknowledged Mamdani’s “impressive and inspiring grassroots campaign” but defended her record: “Throughout each election, I have earned the trust of voters through hard work, accessibility, and a legislative agenda grounded in equity and accountability.”
3. Jenifer Rajkumar. District 38.
Zohran vote share: 64%
Primary endorsement: None
First elected: 2020
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is no stranger to the political scene, having once enthusiastically supported Mayor Eric Adams. However, as his popularity waned, so too did her public appearances with him.
This year, she attempted to unseat leftist Jumaane Williams for the position of public advocate, resorting to attacks some criticized as racially insensitive, claiming he was “lazy and absent.” Despite her efforts, she lost by over 50 points but retained her district, which encompasses parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, and Woodhaven.
“In 2020, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar made history by defeating an 11-year incumbent by the largest margin of any challenger in New York State, tripling voter turnout to record levels,” her spokesperson Jacob Gross stated. “Since then, she has brought the same unmatched energy and results to her district daily, supported by a diverse coalition.”
4. Erik Dilan. District 54.
Zohran vote share: 65%
Primary endorsement: Cuomo
First elected: 2014
Representing parts of Bushwick and Cypress Hills, Erik Dilan has witnessed incumbents fall to younger, leftist challengers. His father, former state Senator Marty Dilan, notably became the first sitting legislator ousted by a DSA member when he lost to Julia Salazar in 2018.
Dilan narrowly survived a primary challenge from DSA member Samy Olivares in 2022, winning with 52% of the vote. He did not respond to requests for comment.
5. Al Taylor. District 71.
Zohran vote share: 51%
Primary endorsement: None
First elected: 2017
Al Taylor’s Harlem district experienced a notable shift towards Mamdani, with Taylor’s constituents also favoring him. Although he did not endorse Mamdani in the primary, he recently expressed support for him in the general election.
This year, the Harlem lawmaker stood with other Black elected officials supporting Eric Adams during a brief period when Governor Kathy Hochul considered removing him from office.
“As a longtime colleague in the NYS Assembly, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Zohran Mamdani on issues that matter most to our communities,” Taylor stated. “I look forward to continuing our work together, including making New York more affordable and our city safer. I am proud to support our Democratic nominee for Mayor and eager to campaign alongside him leading up to the November election, contributing to a brighter future for our city.” — Jason Beeferman and Bill Mahoney
SUBPOENA SITUATION:
The U.S. attorney’s office in Albany has issued two subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James, linked to politically sensitive civil cases against President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association. This escalating scrutiny marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s focus on James, who has earned a reputation as a staunch adversary of the president.
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice initiated a separate investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against James, which she has firmly denied.
The New York Times first reported the subpoenas, prompting a response from James’ spokesperson, Geoff Burgan: “Any weaponization of the justice system should disturb every American. We stand firmly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organization and the NRA, and we will continue to advocate for New Yorkers’ rights.”
James’ civil fraud case against Trump resulted in a Manhattan trial judge ruling that the president and his adult sons inflated both his net worth and the value of his real estate assets. The judge imposed a significant financial penalty that has now escalated to over half a billion dollars, a ruling Trump is currently appealing.
Additionally, James’ office secured a victory in a fraud case against the NRA, where a jury found the organization’s long-time CEO misused funds for extravagant perks.
“Investigating the fraud case Attorney General James won against President Trump and his businesses is the most blatant and desperate example of this administration executing a political retribution campaign,” declared James’ personal attorney Abbe Lowell.
— Nick Reisman, Josh Gerstein and Erica Orden
‘HAPPY 90TH’:
New York lawmakers gathered with AARP to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security today. This milestone arrives during a precarious time for the state’s social safety net, as social service agencies brace for significant federal funding reductions under the Republican-led “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Vulnerable GOP Rep. Mike Lawler attended an AARP event in Tarrytown, a high-priority target for Democrats seeking to regain the House majority next year. Lawler has faced protests in his district over proposed cuts to social service programs within the Republican megabill.
Despite the challenges, Lawler received a cordial reception at the event, where he emphasized efforts to support local Social Security offices and the benefits of the megabill for seniors.
“I take pride in the fact that as part of the tax bill, we were able to pass a $6,000 senior deduction, which will help offset Social Security taxes vital for our seniors living on fixed incomes,” he stated.
This diplomatic tone contrasted sharply with his earlier combative appearance on “Morning Joe,” where he faced tough questions about the law’s implications for Medicaid and district hospitals, accusing hospital representatives of simply “parroting” talking points.
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres also participated in a related AARP event in the Bronx, reiterating his commitment to Social Security. “For me, there is no greater responsibility for the federal government and for America than to protect Social Security for current and future generations of older Americans,” he remarked, subtly alluding to the partisan debate by noting that “the top one percent does not pay their fair share into Social Security.”
— Amira McKee and Emily Ngo
— QUEENS BOYS: Trump and Cuomo have crossed paths in their personal and professional lives several times before. (The New York Times)
— ONE WAY STREET: Mamdani has voiced support for Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her bid for governor of New Jersey, but the moderate is keeping her distance. (POLITICO Pro)
— GET OUT: The new Brooklyn headquarters for Adams’ reelection campaign has an outstanding vacate order. (THE CITY)
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