Mamdani-endorsed candidates Brad Lander<\/a>, Darializa Avila Chevalier<\/a> and Claire Valdez<\/a> won Democratic nominations for Congress in deep blue districts, virtually assuring their elections in November. All three beat more moderate opponents, including two who defeated incumbent congressmen endorsed by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.<\/p>\n During the press conference, the mayor repeatedly highlighted their calls to halt US military aid to Israel and redirect federal funding to domestic priorities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe working person is struggling in our city to afford basic needs,\u201d Mamdani said, adding that Avila Chevalier\u2019s oft-repeated slogan of investing in \u201cbabies not bombs\u201d is \u201cthe kind of conscience, the kind of clarity, the kind of conviction that has been missing in our politics for far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGet The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition \t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n The victories offered an early demonstration of Mamdani\u2019s political influence beyond City Hall, as multiple fellow Democratic Socialist candidates he backed, including Avila Chevalier, won their races.<\/p>\n \t Following the mayor\u2019s election night sweep in New York, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social<\/a> that \u201cAmerica the Beautiful will NEVER be a Communist Country!!!\u201d<\/p>\n Mamdani responded to the president\u2019s post on Wednesday, telling a reporter who asked whether his goal is to make America a \u201csocialist\u201d country that his \u201cgoal is to make America a place that every American can afford.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about federal policies that could be affected by Mamdani\u2019s endorsed candidates, the mayor cited Valdez\u2019s support for \u201cforeign policy that understands human rights for all\u201d and Lander\u2019s commitment to co-sponsoring the Block the Bombs Act, which prohibits the sale of certain US-made offensive weapons to Israel.<\/p>\n Mamdani also dismissed a question about whether he was concerned about how the victories would impact the general election in November as Democrats try to win back the House, including by flipping districts with a more moderate electorate than in New York City.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time the fight for working people takes a step forward, you will hear Republicans say that this is actually going to jeopardize the existence of that very fight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n When asked whether the win by Avila Chevalier \u2014 who has faced scrutiny for past social media posts<\/a> attacking Democrats and her appearance at an October 8, 2023, pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square,<\/a> where some celebrated the previous day\u2019s massacre \u2014 could \u201ccomplicate campaigns for Democrats as a whole,\u201d Mamdani replied \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Avila Chevalier] often speaks about a politics of life. She speaks about \u2018Babies not bombs,\u2019\u201d Mamdani continued. \u201cWhat could be a better example of what the people of the district want to see versus what the people of the district have been forced to experience, which is tens of billions of dollars being spent at a national level to bomb children overseas, while children in our own districts are struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident \u2013 ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded \u2013 I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.<\/p>\n There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.<\/p>\n As a Times of Israel reporter, I\u2019m committed to telling stories of resilience like Shilgit\u2019s. But my colleagues and I can’t do this alone. If you value work like this,<\/strong> please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community.<\/strong> Your financial support is essential to keep real human reporting like this going.<\/p>\n \u2014 Stav Levaton, military reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t
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\n\t\tDemocratic congressional candidate Brad Lander arrives with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo\/Ryan Murphy)<\/p>\n
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