The most recent round of primary elections proved to be another testament to President Donald Trump’s endorsement powers. But it was also a big night for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who helped three progressive candidates in contested House races secure victories with his support.
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Elsewhere, a rising star in the Democratic Party will look to retain the governor’s seat in Maryland, and Utah will face general elections for newly redrawn House districts.
Here are the most notable results from Tuesday night.
New York House and Governor Primaries
Progressive candidates saw big gains in New York, unseating two incumbent Democrats with Mamdani’s endorsements. Retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to replace her, but state Assembly Member Claire Valdez secured the primary victory.
Elsewhere, incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat lost to democratic socialist and organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, who helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Former City Comptroller Brad Lander won out over incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in a contested race centered around the war in Gaza.
In a crowded race for retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler’s seat that featured a Kennedy scion and former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway’s ex-husband, state Assembly Member Micah Lasher narrowly beat former Palantir employee Alex Bores. The race saw millions of dollars in campaign funds from artificial intelligence companies both attacking and supporting Bores. Lasher criticized Bores, who promised to introduce sweeping AI regulations, for his continued connections to the technology companies.
Maryland House and Governor Primaries
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sailed to the Democratic nomination for governor after a challenge from physician Eric Felber. Felber ran on a markedly more progressive platform, opposing data centers and pushing for Maryland’s minimum wage to rise to $30 an hour by 2030.
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Dan Cox, a former state delegate who lost to Moore in 2022, will face him again in November. Cox beat businessman Ed Hale, a lifelong Democrat who switched his party affiliation for the primary contest. Trump hasn’t endorsed anyone in the race, despite backing Cox in 2022.
Delegate Adrian Boafo clinched the Democratic nomination in the 5th District to replace Rep. Steny Hoyer, the longest serving Democrat in the House. Boafo’s endorsement from Hoyer and a controversial $11 million injection of campaign funding from pro-Israel and cryptocurrency groups led him to victory in a race that featured over 20 candidates.
In one of the most expensive House races nationwide, Incumbent Rep. April McClain Delaney bested her predecessor, David Trone, to retain her seat in Maryland’s 6th District. Trone left the House in 2024 to seek the Senate seat ultimately won by Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
Utah House Primaries
As a historically red state, Utah hasn’t seen much opportunity for Democrats in recent years. But redistricting ordered by the Utah Supreme Court turned the 1st District into a blue island anchored by Salt Lake City. Former Mayor Ben McAdams secured a decisive win over state Sen. Nate Blouin and will face former Trump White House staffer Riley Owen, who ran unopposed.
Rep. Blake Moore, who previously represented the 1st District, won the primary for the new 2nd District with the support of Trump, beating out state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee. In the expanded 3rd District, Trump-backed Rep. Celeste Maloy defeated former state Rep. Phil Lyman for the Republican nomination in another successful endorsement for the president.
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