Letitia James fumes as Mamdani-backed socialists sweep New York primaries
Zohran Mamdani Letitia James fumes as Mamdani-backed socialists sweep New York primaries
Affluent college-educated voters backed DSA-affiliated candidates while working-class residents supported establishment picks
By
Robert Schmad Fox News
Published
June 24, 2026 1:53pm EDT close 
Video Socialist candidates score victories in New York Democratic primary races
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrates a 'new chapter' for Democrats after socialist candidates secured significant victories in three New York primary races, boosting the progressive wing. Rachel Bovard warns that this 'growing movement,' with members advocating extreme views such as abolishing the Senate and Supreme Court, is moving from the fringe to become the Democratic Party's establishment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, bristled at fellow Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s growing clout after a slate of socialist candidates rode his endorsement to primary victories Tuesday night.
"Some of the candidates that he has supported are individuals who do not understand the politics of New York City, the cultural differences from district to district, who have not been part of the history and the struggle of some of these districts, and are relatively new to the body politic," James, who famously prosecuted President Donald Trump on financial fraud charges, told CNN after the election results came in.
James added that she and other Democratic leaders are "disappointed" in Mamdani.
"[Black and Hispanic voters] don’t like the trick the DSA is trying to pull in Harlem — using the forces of gentrification to try to supplant our agenda and subvert our priorities," one Democratic political operative told the New York Post. "Abolishing the police and releasing every prisoner, even rapists and murderers, isn’t progressive. It’s nuts. It isn’t people with a doorman who have the most to lose; we know it’s us, people of color, who are going to suffer most from the DSA’s reckless agenda."
MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS
Congressional candidates Claire Valdez, left, Brad Lander, second from left, and Darializa Avila Chevalier, right, raise their hands with Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a Get Out the Vote rally in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The dynamic described by the operative played out across New York on Tuesday night as more affluent voters backed candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, while working-class residents threw their support behind establishment picks.
In New York’s 13th Congressional District, for instance, Mamdani-endorsed graduate student Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Espaillat overwhelmingly won lower-income and majority-Black precincts, while his socialist challenger carried areas with higher incomes, more university graduates and younger residents, according to demographic data compiled by The New York Times. In New York City, affluent, college-educated young people are more likely to be transplants from elsewhere in the United States than the general population.
Brad Lander, candidate for New York’s 10th Congressional District, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attend a watch party after winning the primary elections in Brooklyn, New York, on June 23, 2026. (Reuters)
Nine Democratic incumbents, among them seven state lawmakers and two congressmen, ultimately lost their seats as a wave of anti-establishment sentiment spurred by Mamdani washed over the state.
All three of the congressional candidates Mamdani endorsed ahead of Tuesday won their primary elections, with two defeating incumbent representatives and the third defeating the chosen successor of a retiring congresswoman.
Mamdani was quick to claim credit for the political shake-up.
"We are showing that last June, a year ago tomorrow, was not an anomaly," the mayor said Tuesday night. "It was not the end. It was the beginning."
REPUBLICANS PUSH TO MAKE MAMDANI THE NEW FACE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
New York Attorney General Letitia James stands silently during a press conference at the office of the Attorney General in New York City on Dec. 15, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
James acknowledged that many were dissatisfied with the state of the Democratic Party, but warned that Mamdani’s movement could damage their electoral prospects by stoking internal divisions. James told the New York Times that she favors coming to "some sort of understanding" with the socialists to defuse tensions.
"All of us are a little frustrated with the Democratic Party. But you don’t blow it up," she said. "That’s what MAGA has done."
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Some Republicans have cast the socialist victories as a boon for the GOP, predicting that inflammatory comments made by the political newcomers could damage the Democratic Party’s national branding.
The New York State Office of the Attorney General did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
