The tectonic shift that shook the borough during the Democratic primary on Tuesday night was centered in the so-called “commie corridor” of western Queens and its epicenter was in Astoria.
When Mayor Zohran Mamdani moved across the East River into Gracie Mansion in January, his fellow Democratic Socialists of America member Diana Moreno won a special election for his Assembly District 36 seat. On Tuesday, Moreno cruised past Mary Jobaida and Kevin P. Coenen with more than 78% of the vote with 95.5% of the scanners reported.
Her fellow Mamdani-endorsed DSA candidates Samantha Kattan and David Orkin declared victory in their races and Moreno explained the impact the mayor had on their campaigns during a DSA watch party in Brooklyn.
Diana Moreno has a wide lead over two opponents for the district in western Queens formerly held by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.Photo by Shane O’Brien
“Tonight, socialism wins. A year ago, we witnessed our Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani defeat a political dynasty, but what he said in his victory speech was we cannot have that campaign be the best thing that ever happened. It must be what comes after,” Moreno said. “Oh, my friends, here we are, because not only are we showing that we can win, we will show that we can govern for the people, we will show that we will govern to make people’s lives better, and that is what has the establishment trembling.”
The DSA’s big winner was Claire Valdez who captured the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District vacated by the retiring Nydia Velázquez. In the race to replace Valdez in Assembly District 37, Kattan had nearly 67% of the vote with nearly 94% of the scanners reported cruising past Pia Rahman and Melissa Orlando.
“As our power grows, so must our ambition to deliver better lives for the people of New York,” Kattan said. “In my over a decade as a socialist and a tenant organizer, while so much has changed, one thing has stayed the same. Every single time we have stopped a rent hike, restored broken heat of hot water, or won an election, we’ve been told that’s enough, don’t ask for anymore. I am so proud to be writing a chapter of history with you all, and to be winning more than socialists have won in over a hundred areas in this country. I’m so ready to represent the working people of Queens in Albany as we continue to demand better and more affordable lives. I’m so eager to come back with you all in the coming years and keep asking for more.”
Samantha Kattan has a huge lead in Assembly District 37, a seat vacated by Claire Valdez.Photo by Shane O’Brien
Kattan and Moreno were joined on stage by David Orkin, another Mamdani-endorsed DSA member who had an 18% lead over incumbent Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar with nearly 99% of the scanners reported.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hundreds of volunteers on this campaign who showed up and put the work in, to have led with a message that resonated with parts of Queens that have felt left behind for decades, and to be a part of the largest movement in this country fighting for working class people,” Orkin said. “I have dedicated my life fighting for immigrants and workers, I am proud to have earned their support in this election, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life winning the beautiful and joyous lives we deserve.”
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkuman congratulated her opponent David Orkin for his win and said she would assist in the transition.Photo by Shane O’Brien
Rajkumar said it was the honor of her life to serve the community of the 38th AD and was profoundly grateful to her staff, volunteers, and her supporters.
“You gave me your time, your heart, and your belief in this work, and I will never forget it. To serve is to be tested again and again, and still choose hope, dedication, and love. Through every battle and every challenge, I remain committed to the same purpose that first called me to public service, lifting people up and fighting for a better New York,” Rajkumar said. “Congratulations to David on his win. I am here to assist in any transition so that the people of this district continue to be served with the care, urgency, and dedication they deserve.”
Other Queens Assembly candidates enjoying large leads include Pesach Osina in the race to replace the retiring Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato in South Queens, Nathaniel Hezekiah III is the likely winner of retiring Assemblymember Vivian Cook’s District 32 seat, and Brian Romero in District 34.
Incumbents Catalina Cruz, Clede Vanel and Andrew Hevesi have insurmountable leads and only one Assembly race appears to be headed to a runoff between former NYPD detective Shamsul Haque and Patrick Martinez, the nephew of former congressman Joseph Crowley. They are in a virtual tie in the race for Assembly District 30.