Mamdani’s Socialist Movement Sparks Threats of Primaries Against Hakeem Jeffries and NYC House Democrats

A political firestorm is brewing in New York City as Zohran Mamdani, the recently victorious democratic socialist and Queens assemblyman, and his allies prepare to challenge some of the city's most entrenched Democratic figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The rumblings of insurgent primary bids come just weeks after Mamdani stunned the political world with his dominant win in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, where he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates.

His rise signals an undeniable surge of the far-left Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement, now emboldened and prepared to reshape the city's political landscape further.

Mamdani’s triumph, which positions him as the frontrunner to become the first Muslim mayor in New York City history, is now being hailed by his allies as a mandate to expand their influence beyond city politics and into the federal realm.

DSA leaders, still energized from Mamdani’s success, have made it clear that their ambitions are broader than one office or one city. "This movement is bigger than one person, election, city, or organization," the DSA stated in the wake of his primary win.

They encouraged supporters across the country to mobilize, join local chapters, and continue pushing their progressive agenda alongside Mamdani and other DSA-elected officials nationwide.

Now, that momentum is manifesting in the form of potential primary challenges against several Democratic incumbents in New York City's congressional delegation.

Targets reportedly include Hakeem Jeffries, who succeeded Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader two years ago, as well as Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Yvette Clarke.

Each of these figures represents a district deeply entrenched in the Democratic establishment, but the rise of Mamdani and the DSA suggests that the party's left wing sees an opportunity to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with moderate leadership.

Jeffries, a Brooklyn native who has steadily climbed the ranks of Democratic leadership, finds himself in the crosshairs of this progressive insurgency. While he has maintained a national profile as the face of House Democrats, back home in New York City, he faces criticism from the left for being too aligned with establishment politics.

“His leadership has left a vacuum that organizations like DSA are filling. I think that is more important right now,” Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of New York City’s DSA chapter, told CNN, underscoring the tension between moderates and the progressive flank within the Democratic Party.

Democratic socialist state Senator Jabari Brisport, who shares parts of Brooklyn with Jeffries' congressional district, echoed this sentiment. Speaking to Fox News, Brisport argued that Jeffries is "rapidly growing out of touch with an insurgent and growing progressive base within his own district that he should pay more attention to."

The message from Brisport and other progressives is clear: if Jeffries does not adjust his positions to align more closely with the priorities of the progressive base, he risks facing a well-organized primary challenge fueled by the same energy that propelled Mamdani to victory.

Jeffries and his political team are not taking these threats lightly. Senior political advisor Andre Richardson, in a statement to CNN, issued a stark warning to any would-be challengers.

“If Team Gentrification [a label directed at Mamdani’s allies] wants a primary fight, our response will be forceful and unrelenting. We will teach them and all of their incumbents a painful lesson on June 23, 2026,” Richardson declared, referring to the date of the next primary election cycle.

The combative rhetoric underscores just how seriously Jeffries and the Democratic establishment view the potential threat posed by the DSA and Mamdani’s expanding influence.

Richardson further contextualized the stakes by pointing to national political dynamics, particularly the aggressive policies being implemented by President Donald Trump during his second term in the White House.

He stated, “Leader Hakeem Jeffries is focused on taking back the House from the MAGA extremists who just ripped health care away from millions of Americans.” This framing seeks to position Jeffries as a necessary bulwark against Republican extremism, even as he fends off challenges from within his own party.

Yet, the challenge for Jeffries is not just ideological but also generational and cultural. Brooklyn State Assemblywoman Phara Souffrant Forrest, another prominent DSA member whose district overlaps with Jeffries’ congressional seat, took to social media to mock the threats coming from Jeffries’ camp.

“Weird threat to make since Hakeem already went after @JabariBrisport [DSA state senator] and I. How’d that go for him, again?” Forrest posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. She then cited her and Brisport’s commanding victories in their respective 2022 primaries, with Brisport winning 70.4% of the vote and Forrest securing 67.2%. “If the leader wants another public beatdown, he knows where to find me,” she concluded, daring Jeffries to make good on his threats.

The escalating feud between the establishment Democrats and the democratic socialist faction comes as pressure mounts on state and local officials to publicly back Mamdani in the general election.

With Mamdani set to face Republican Curtis Sliwa in November, political calculations in the city are shifting. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams are also complicating the electoral picture, both set to appear on the ballot under minor party lines.

This fragmented field raises the stakes for Democrats, who must now navigate not only general election challenges but also the prospect of intense primary battles within their own party ranks.

The rise of Mamdani has reshaped the political calculus in New York, particularly for figures like Jeffries, who must balance his national leadership duties with the need to maintain a firm grip on his home district.

The DSA’s strategy appears to be one of leveraging Mamdani’s win to create a ripple effect that could upend long-standing political arrangements in the city.

By mounting credible primary challenges, the DSA hopes to push the Democratic Party further to the left, aligning it more closely with policies on wealth redistribution, housing rights, healthcare for all, and climate justice.

Jeffries, however, remains a formidable opponent. As House Minority Leader, he wields significant influence, resources, and connections that could be mobilized to defend against insurgent candidates.

His leadership position also provides a national platform to counter the narratives being advanced by the DSA and its affiliates. The question is whether those advantages will be enough to stave off a growing movement that is deeply rooted in grassroots organizing and energized by recent successes.

Political observers note that while the DSA’s influence is growing, it remains to be seen whether that translates into widespread electoral victories at the federal level.

New York City’s electorate is diverse and complex, and while progressive energy is strong in certain districts, establishment Democrats still command substantial support in others.

The coming years will test the DSA’s ability to build coalitions broad enough to unseat powerful incumbents like Jeffries, Nadler, Torres, Goldman, and Clarke.

The stakes for the Democratic Party in New York City could not be higher. If the DSA succeeds in unseating high-profile incumbents, it would mark a dramatic shift in the city’s political power structure and signal a broader transformation within the national Democratic Party.

On the other hand, if the establishment successfully repels these challenges, it could reaffirm the moderate wing’s hold on power, at least for the time being.

For Mamdani, the challenge is clear: translate his mayoral primary success into a broader movement capable of redefining the Democratic Party’s priorities and leadership.

His next steps will be closely watched, as will the response from Jeffries and other targeted incumbents. Whether this political showdown results in a new era of progressive ascendancy or a reaffirmation of establishment dominance, one thing is certain—New York City’s political future is more contested and uncertain than it has been in decades.