By Ryan Schwach
Although the 2025 general election is still a month away, several Queens Democrats are already targeting seats in the State Assembly and State Senate in next summer’s primary.
As of Friday, four previously unelected Democrats are filing to run for the legislature in 2026. Two are mounting challenges against longtime incumbents in districts where Zohran Mamdani won in the primary.
Each of the candidates, in some way or another, appear to have been inspired to run by Mamdani’s mayoral bid.
Mahtab Khan, a progressive activist, has filed in South Queens to challenge veteran Assemblymember David Weprin. Sean Henry Miller, a member of the Queens County Young Democrats, filed last week to primary State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.
Running for two potentially soon-to-be-open seats are Mary Jobaida, who is running to continue progressive representation in Mamdani’s Astoria-centered 36th Assembly District, should the 33-year-old incumbent succeed in his bid for Gracie Mansion in November; and Brian Romero, who is running to succeed his former boss Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas while she seeks a seat in the upper chamber.
Romero, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was González-Rojas’ chief of staff until recently, when he moved to hold the same role in State Senator Kristen Gonzalez’s office.
Romero’s bid was first reported by City & State on Wednesday.
“I am proud to be running for Assembly District 34 to succeed the current member, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas,” Romero said in a statement. “As a socialist, a tenant, and a social worker I believe that now more than ever we must elect legislators who can take on the Trump Administration, ICE, and historic austerity.”
Romero is soliciting the backing of the DSA, and already has support from González-Rojas. He said that he would align himself with Mamdani if both are elected to office.
“I want to help our future Mayor Zohran Mamdani advance an affordability agenda,” he said. “I’m ready to assume this role and fight for and on behalf of my neighbors.”
So far, no other candidate has filed in Assembly District 34, which encompasses Queens’ diverse center in Astoria, Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside.
González-Rojas is running a primary of her own against incumbent Jessica Ramos, who has yet to file for re-election.
While Romero and Jobaida are currently running unopposed, Miller and Khan are making moves against a pair of Queens political institutions.
A member of the Weprin family has represented the neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, Briarwood, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills Hollis and Oakland Gardens since 1971. The current assemblymember was preceded in office by his brother, Mark, and father, Saul.
Weprin didn’t have a primary in 2024 but dominated a primary 2022 when he was challenged.
Mamdani, whom Weprin vehemently opposed, won the district by five points after the first round of votes were counted.
He now faces a primary from a young progressive very much aligned with the mayoral hopeful.
Khan, a 28-year-old Muslim man who identifies as a “Gen Z” candidate, is a strong supporter of Mamdani and volunteered on his upstart campaign. He filed to primary Weprin in July.
Lindsey Boylan, an activist and one of the women who accused former Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, has endorsed Khan.
A young, progressive Democrat is also taking advantage of Mamdani’s win in Stavisky’s Northern and Eastern Queens Senate district, which Mamdani won by a similar margin.
Miller, the vice president for political affairs for the Queens County Young Democrats, is challenging the longtime lawmaker in the State Senate. Like Khan, Miller also volunteered for Mamdani’s campaign.
“I’m running for State Senate because our community deserves fresh leadership — someone who will show up, listen, and fight for what matters most: security, affordability, and justice,” said Miller.
In a lengthy statement to the Eagle, Miller called out Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams and President Donald Trump.
“With government gridlock and officials failing to meet the moment, voters are asking: Where is our leadership? If I’m elected, my constituents will never have to ask that question,” he said. “They’ll know exactly where I am — right there with them, every single day. I have been advocating for working class teachers, students, and healthcare workers for my entire career. I’m ready to bring that fight to Albany.”
He is the first Democrat to primary Stavisky since 2014.
Similar to the Weprin dynasty, someone in the Stavisky family has represented Queens in the State Senate since 1983. Stavisky was preceded by her husband, Leonard, who died in office in 1999.