Clean sweep for Mamdani-backed candidates in New York's Democratic primary

US congressman Dan Goldman has been defeated in a New York primary election, capping a clean sweep for candidates backed by New York's democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Goldman was beaten by progressive challenger Brad Lander in New York's 10th congressional district in a contest that laid bare the party's divisions over the Israel-Gaza war. Lander has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Goldman, a two-term incumbent, was backed by pro-Israel groups. Two other candidates, both democratic socialists endorsed by Mamdani as he seeks to tilt the Democratic party to the left, won their primary races on Tuesday, in a boost for the party's left wing in America's largest city. Assemblywoman Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th district. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student who has joined pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, won her race in New York's 13th district. She toppled Adriano Espaillat, who had held the district for five terms and is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a body that advocates for legislation and resources for Hispanic Americans. Mamdani celebrated her win, describing Chevalier as a person