JUNE 28, 2026
Jeffries congratulates DSA-backed New York nominees after they defeated incumbents he endorsed
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted a congratulatory message on X recognizing Democratic congressional nominees across New York, including three candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier. Lander and Chevalier had defeated Jeffries-endorsed incumbents Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat in their respective primaries. More than a dozen DSA-backed candidates have won or advanced in primaries nationwide this election cycle.
Jeffries' Saturday post on X listed Democratic congressional nominees from across New York, writing, "From public servants to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same. We must decisively address the affordability crisis and crush far-right extremism!" The message made no distinction between the nominees, folding the three DSA-affiliated candidates into his broader congratulatory statement.
All three nominees — Lander, Chevalier, and Valdez — received backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose endorsements have been widely noted as a marker of the progressive wing's growing influence in New York Democratic politics. Lander is Jewish and, along with Chevalier and Valdez, has described Israel's military campaign in Gaza as genocide. Chevalier has faced scrutiny over past social media posts that included calling former President Biden a "war criminal" and calling to "literally abolish the border." Jeffries had not endorsed in the open-seat race that Valdez won.
The congratulatory post drew swift criticism from several quarters. The Republican Jewish Coalition responded directly, writing, "To Jewish Democrats: your party is telling you EXACTLY who it is," and characterizing the nominees as the new face rather than the fringe of the Democratic Party. Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council and State Department official who describes himself as a lifelong Democrat, said he initially assumed Jeffries' post was from a "spoof account" and accused Jeffries of prioritizing his bid for the speakership over party principles.