DSA Claims Double-Digit Statehouse Presence After New York Primary Upsets

Five incumbent New York state lawmakers will be out of office in January after losing their seats in Tuesday's Democratic primary, a rare wave of statehouse turnover that expanded the Democratic Socialists of America's presence in the legislature to double digits.

The Democratic Socialists of America backed seven of eight successful candidates for city seats and are set to grow their statehouse representation beyond 10 members, Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged at a press conference in Manhattan on Wednesday. "These are now my partners in government. This is who the voters want me to work with to be successful," Hochul said.

Four new Democrats are expected to join the 63-seat state Senate, with more changes anticipated in the Assembly, where Democrats already hold over 100 of 150 seats.

In Queens, DSA-endorsed candidates swept races across multiple offices. Aber Kawas won the Democratic primary for state Senate District 12 with roughly 60 percent of the vote, defeating Assemblymember Steven Raga. Kawas, who will replace retiring Sen. Michael Gianaris, became the first Palestinian American and first Muslim woman elected to New York State office, according to results coverage. Assembly candidates Samantha Kattan and David Orkin also claimed victories in Queens.

Brian Romero, who won the Democratic primary for Queens Assembly District 34, said the Speaker of the Assembly had already reached out. "I know how the chamber works. We've passed things like universal school meals and abortion funds," Romero said.

The sole incumbent to defeat a DSA challenger was Democratic Assemblyman Jordan Wright of Harlem's 70th Assembly district. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stayed out of that race.

"I think DSA, right now, is the big bad wolf," said political consultant Shontell Plummer, adding that there may be significant common ground between progressives and DSA members alongside roughly 10 percent where views differ sharply.

Hochul said she has always worked with whoever wins elections and has developed a relationship with the mayor and legislature, but analysts noted the growing progressive bloc could make future budget negotiations more contentious.