Socialist sweep in New York City’s congressional primaries — and more
Two more US House incumbents lost their renomination bids last night as the New York Democratic Socialists had a big night.
Maryland
In the most watched race in the state, and certainly most expensive, freshman Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Potomac) defeated former Congressman David Trone who was attempting a political comeback after losing the 2024 Senate Democratic primary. At this writing, Rep. Delaney held a 44-38% lead despite Trone spending almost $30 million on his campaign. She was also leading in the district’s two most populous counties, Montgomery and Frederick.
In the open 5th District, retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (D-Mechanicsville) endorsed candidate, state Delegate Adrian Boafo (D-Bowie) easily won the Democratic primary over 22 opponents. Gov. Wes Moore and US Sen. Angela Alsobrooks also endorsed Mr. Boafo. He will now go onto record a strong general election win.
Another House challenge saw veteran incumbent Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Baltimore) easily defeating Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway with 70% of the vote.
New York
Big losses for two incumbents again proving that dominant campaign spending does not necessarily guarantee victory. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NYC) was dealt a crushing defeat in his bid for a third term, losing to former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander by a 66-34% margin.
In the Harlem anchored 13th District, Rep. Adriano Espaillat also lost his Democratic primary. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Espaillat in a tight 49-46% result. Both Mr. Lander and Ms. Chevalier were heavily outspent (Goldman’s money ratio over Lander was 7:1; Espaillat held a 2:1 resource advantage). Both Mr. Lander and Ms. Chevalier are closely aligned with the Democratic Socialists.
Six incumbents have now lost their renomination campaigns. In addition to Reps. Goldman and Espaillat, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Al Green (D-TX), Julie Johnson (D-TX), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), all failed to win their respective primaries earlier in the year.
In another Democratic Socialist win, state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez easily won the open 7th District Democratic primary. She will next win the general election and succeed retiring US Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn).
In the hotly contested open 12th CD, state Assemblyman Micah Lasher won the Democratic primary, defeating state Assemblyman Alex Bores, Jack Kennedy Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, and attorney George Conway.
This campaign ended in an inverse order regarding campaign expenditures. Here, Messrs. Conway and Schlossberg spent the most, with the winner, Mr. Lasher, spending the least among the top contenders. Assemblyman Lasher will now win the general election without much difficulty and in January succeeds retiring Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-New York City).
In Bronx District 15, incumbent Rep. Ritchie Torres scored a landslide 72-22% Democratic primary win over former state Assemblyman Michael Blake in a race that was originally believed to be competitive.
In a race where money did make a difference, Trump endorsed businessman and ex-professional boxer Anthony Constantino easily defeated state Assemblyman Robert Smullen in the open 21st District. With a 10:1 resource advantage and the Trump endorsement, Mr. Constantino rolled to a 59-41% victory.
The new Republican nominee will now face dairy farmer Blake Gendebien (D) in the general election. Expect this contest to be competitive even though the 21st District is largely Republican. The winner will succeed retiring US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) in the North Country district.
Utah
Looking at the state’s new Democratic 1st District anchored in Salt Lake City, former Congressman Ben McAdams scored a big early victory over state Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Salt Lake City). Against three opponents, Mr. McAdams, who previously served one term in the US House, recorded just over 60% of the vote. He now becomes the prohibitive favorite to return to the House in the Autumn election.
In new districts, Rep. Blake Moore (R-Salt Lake City) scored a 58 percent win over state Representative Karianne Lisonbee (R-Syracuse), Celeste Maloy was an easy 3rd District Republican winner, while Mike Kennedy (R-Alpine) was unopposed for renomination in the 4th District, which is entirely new territory for him when compared to the previous 3rd District to which he was elected in 2024.
South Carolina
As expected, four-term Attorney General Alan Wilson, the son of veteran Congressman Joe Wilson (R-Springdale) scored a major 69-31% victory over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the Republican runoff election. Mr. Wilson now becomes the heavy favorite to win the general election in November and succeed incumbent Henry McMaster (R), who will retire as the state’s longest-serving Governor.
In the 1st District Republican runoff to replace Rep. Nancy Mace (R-Charleston), who risked the seat for an unsuccessful gubernatorial run, Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt defeated state Rep. Mark Smith (R-Daniel Island) in a 54-46% result. Ms. Honeycutt also finished first in the regular primary. She now becomes the strong favorite to win the general election and hold the 1st District seat for the GOP.
