Democratic rift over the party’s future widens amid the left’s New York victories

But some in the party cautioned against taking too many national lessons from the successes of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s congressional slate.

A trio of primary results in New York City this week is deepening a schism among Democrats over who should lead the party and determine its direction as the midterms approach — and as the 2028 presidential race looms not far beyond.

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The party’s left flank took a victory lap after insurgent candidates backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani all won Tuesday night, knocking off a pair of House incumbents as well as the handpicked successor of a retiring congresswoman.

The results pushed long-held tensions into public view once again. Some in the establishment called for candidates to stop identifying as Democrats and instead start their own party if they detest its leaders so much. Others even accused Mamdani of trying to “blow up” the party.