A tale of two parties: Trump, Mamdani put political clout on the line as four states hold primaries

Trump and Mamdani Endorsements Face Tests in Primaries in New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump are not on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries and runoffs, but candidates they have endorsed will compete in contests across New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina. The results will provide an early measure of each man’s influence within his party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Mamdani, elected mayor in 2025 after winning a Democratic primary as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is supporting three challengers seeking House seats in New York as well as several state legislative candidates. Trump has endorsed in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff and in a New York Republican House primary.

In New York’s 13th Congressional District, which includes northern Manhattan and part of the Bronx, political organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier is challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Chevalier, 32, has described a potential victory as the start of expanded support for candidates aligned with Mamdani’s platform. Espaillat, 71, who has served in Congress since 2017, is backed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state Democratic leaders.

Mamdani is also supporting former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in the 10th Congressional District, which covers Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. Lander is running against Rep. Dan Goldman, who has received endorsements from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the 7th Congressional District, covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens, Mamdani-backed state Assembly Member Claire Valdez is facing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who is supported by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez.

Avila Chevalier, Valdez and Mamdani are all members of the Democratic Socialists of America. The three House races have included discussion of U.S. policy toward Israel, with Mamdani describing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as “monsters” in recent remarks. Valdez has stated that voters seek Democratic candidates who demonstrate clear positions on the issue.

Mamdani appeared at a June 18 rally in New York City with the three candidates and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. In a social media post before the event, Mamdani wrote that the group needed collective effort to win. At the rally he said the Democratic Party must change.

Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo told Fox News Digital that Mamdani understands how to use political power and remains popular, adding that the mayor’s current activity reflects an effort to maintain that position. National Republican Congressional Committee National Press Secretary Mike Marinella said Mamdani’s positions provide Republicans with material to use in the midterm campaign.

In South Carolina, Trump posted on social media on June 20 that he was endorsing both state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the Republican gubernatorial runoff. Trump wrote that he did not want to harm either candidate by endorsing only one and stated that voters could not go wrong with either. Evette had been the sole recipient of Trump’s earlier endorsement and is also backed by term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. Wilson received endorsements from Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman after they finished outside the top two in the June primary.

Evette and Wilson advanced from a primary field that also included Mace, Norman and businessman Rom Reddy. Neither reached a majority, triggering the runoff. In the final debate, the candidates exchanged personal criticisms over their records and experience. Wilson highlighted his work as attorney general, combat veteran and prosecutor. Evette presented herself as an outsider and businesswoman.

Trump’s endorsement of both candidates follows a similar approach he used in the 2022 Missouri Senate primary when he endorsed two candidates named Eric. In that race, Eric Schmitt won the nomination.

In New York’s 21st Congressional District, Trump is backing businessman and former boxer Anthony Constantino against state Assembly Member Robert Smullen, who has the support of the state Republican Party. The seat is open after Rep. Elise Stefanik announced her retirement.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler’s retirement has opened his Manhattan district for the first time since 1992. Candidates include state Assembly Members Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, Jack Schlossberg and former lawyer George Conway. Nadler endorsed Lasher.

Five Democrats are competing in New York’s 17th Congressional District in the northern suburbs. The winner will face Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in November in one of the districts viewed as competitive for control of the House.

Utah voters are using a new congressional map that created a district centered on Salt Lake City with a higher share of Democratic-leaning voters. The change has affected the reelection calculations of the state’s previously all-Republican House delegation.

In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore is seeking renomination against a primary challenger. Moore has also been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

The primaries occur six months into Mamdani’s term as mayor. During that period he has met with Trump at the White House, where the president described him as a rational person who would perform well in the role. Trump had previously referred to Mamdani as a communist during the 2025 campaign.

All factual details in the contests, endorsements and candidate statements are drawn from public records and statements by the participants. The outcomes will be known after polls close on June 23.