Mamdani’s wife snubs Brad Lander while showing support for DSA candidates
Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressed support for two Democratic Socialists of America-backed congressional candidates, claire Valdez and darializa Avila Chevalier, in the recent primary election.She did not mention her endorsement of former City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running for Congress and was previously supported by Mamdani. Duwaji shared a photo on Instagram urging New Yorkers to vote for the socialist candidates, highlighting the ongoing primary race involving candidates for New York’s 7th and 13th congressional districts. Incumbent Representatives Nydia Velazquez and Adriano Espaillat are retiring from their districts,while Lander is challenging Dan Goldman for the 10th District,with notable support from Bernie Sanders,Elizabeth Warren,and Mamdani. The article notes a possible reason for Duwaji’s lack of support for Lander-their differing views on Israel; duwaji is pro-Palestinian, whereas Lander identifies as a liberal Zionist. The primary results are pending, with election outcomes expected soon after polls close.
The wife of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rama Duwaji, said she supported Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, two congressional candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, in the Democratic primary on Tuesday.
However, she made no mention of former City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running for Congress. Notably, Mamdani endorsed Lander one month after winning the mayoral election last fall.
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Duwaji posted a photo of herself on Instagram Stories, holding an “I Voted” sticker and urging New Yorkers to support the two socialist candidates. Valdez and Chevalier are running for New York’s 7th and 13th congressional districts, respectively, with support from fellow socialist Mamdani.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), who represents the 7th Congressional District, is retiring. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), who has represented the 13th Congressional District for five consecutive terms, is seeking reelection this year.
Meanwhile, Lander is challenging Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) in the primary race for New York’s 10th Congressional District.
Lander is backed by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Mamdani, whereas Goldman has support from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and other Democratic establishment figures.
It remains unclear why Duwaji did not express support for Lander on the day of the primary, but the snub is possibly related to their difference of opinion on Israel.
Duwaji is an outspoken pro-Palestinian voice, while Lander describes himself as a liberal Zionist who supports the Jewish state amid conflicts in the Middle East.
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Despite the label, the congressional hopeful has criticized the Israeli government for waging a Palestinian genocide in Gaza.
Whether Mamdani’s picks for the House will win their respective primaries remains to be seen. The election results will start pouring in after New York’s polling locations close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
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