Politics in the Empire State moves fast. If you're looking for the short answer on who won the primary in New York, it depends entirely on whether you’re looking at the massive 2024 federal showdowns or the high-stakes 2025 local races that just wrapped up. New York is basically a lab for every political tension in the country right now. We've seen moderate Democrats crushing progressive "Squad" members, but then we turn around and see socialists taking over City Hall.
Honestly, the 2024 primary was the biggest earthquake. The headline that everyone is still talking about is George Latimer. He didn't just win; he absolutely dismantled an incumbent in a way we rarely see. But there’s a whole lot more to the story than just one guy losing a seat.
The 2024 Congressional Blowout: Latimer vs. Bowman
The race for the 16th District was the most expensive House primary in the history of the United States. Period. We aren't just talking a few million here; we're talking over $25 million poured into a single primary. Westchester County Executive George Latimer defeated incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and the margin wasn't even that close. Latimer pulled in roughly 58% of the vote.
Why does this matter so much? Because Bowman was a founding member of "The Squad." His loss was a massive signal. It showed that in districts with heavy moderate and Jewish populations, strident criticism of Israel—especially following the October 7 attacks—carried a heavy political price. Latimer ran as a "get things done" Democrat, and the voters ate it up.
Other 2024 Heavyweights
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14): She crushed her challenger, Marty Dolan, with over 80% of the vote. Unlike Bowman, AOC proved her brand is still untouchable in her Queens and Bronx stronghold.
- John Avlon (NY-01): The former CNN pundit soundly beat Nancy Goroff out on Long Island. People wanted a recognizable face to take on the GOP in the general.
- John Mannion (NY-22): Upstate, Mannion won a tough battle against Sarah Klee Hood, setting him up for a flip that eventually happened in the November general.
The 2025 Pivot: How Zohran Mamdani Redefined the Win
Just when people thought the progressive movement was on the ropes after 2024, the 2025 mayoral primary happened. If you missed it, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City Mayor. This was a "wait, what?" moment for a lot of people.
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Mamdani, a socialist Assembly member, went up against a ghost from the past: former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo tried to stage a massive comeback, but New Yorkers weren't having it. Through the ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani secured 56% to Cuomo's 44% in the final round.
"New York, you have delivered a mandate for change," Mamdani told a crowd that looked nothing like the traditional political establishment.
This win basically flipped the 2024 narrative on its head. While the 2024 primary results favored moderates like Latimer, the 2025 results showed that within the five boroughs, the progressive pulse is still beating—and it's loud.
State Legislature: Who Actually Kept Their Jobs?
Most people ignore the state Senate and Assembly, but that's where the laws that actually affect your life get made. In the most recent primary cycles, incumbents mostly held the line, but there were some "ouch" moments for the establishment.
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Winners in the State Senate and Assembly
- Claire Valdez: She took down incumbent Juan Ardila in Queens (District 37). Ardila had been caught up in some scandals, and the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) moved in fast to take that seat.
- Siela Bynoe: Out on Long Island, she won a competitive race for the 6th District seat left open by Kevin Thomas.
- Emily Gallagher: A progressive powerhouse in Brooklyn who sailed through her primary with nearly 75% of the vote.
- Ron Kim: Despite a very loud challenge in Flushing, Kim held onto his seat, proving his local constituent service still counts for something.
Why Do These Primary Results Keep Changing?
You've probably noticed that who wins New York depends on where you stand. The "New York Primary" isn't one thing. It's a collection of neighborhoods with wildly different vibes.
In Westchester, you have wealthy, moderate families who want stability. They chose Latimer. In Astoria and Bushwick, you have young, energized voters who want to tax the rich and fix the subways. They chose Mamdani and Valdez. The 2024 vs. 2025 split shows a state that is deeply divided on how to actually be "blue."
It’s also worth noting that turnout is weirdly low in these primaries. In a city of millions, sometimes the person who wins the primary is decided by just a few thousand people who actually bothered to show up on a Tuesday in June.
What’s Happening Right Now (2026 Update)
Since it's early 2026, we’re actually in the middle of some "mini-primaries" or special elections. Because some of the winners from 2025 moved into new roles (like Mamdani becoming Mayor-elect), there are special elections scheduled for February 3, 2026.
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- Senate District 47 (Manhattan): This is a big one to watch.
- Assembly District 74 and 36: These are also up for grabs.
If you live in these areas, you've probably seen the mailers already. The registration deadline for these is January 24, 2026.
Actionable Insights for New York Voters
Primary results are more than just names on a screen. They dictate the direction of the state for years. If you want to make sure your "who won" search reflects your values next time, here is what you need to do:
- Check Your Registration Early: New York has some of the most annoying party-switching rules in the country. If you want to vote in a Democratic primary but you're registered as an Independent, you usually have to change that months in advance.
- Don't Ignore the "Bottom" of the Ballot: The Civil Court judges and District Leaders often win by less than 100 votes. Your vote literally carries more weight there than it does for President.
- Use Non-Partisan Guides: Sites like City & State NY or the NYC Campaign Finance Board (for city races) give you the "who's who" without the fluff.
- Mark February 3, 2026: If you're in Manhattan or Queens, check the Board of Elections site to see if you have a special election. These low-turnout races are where political careers are made or broken.
The results of the New York primary are a messy, loud, and expensive reflection of a state trying to find its soul. Whether it's a moderate win in the Hudson Valley or a socialist win in Gracie Mansion, the only constant is that nothing is ever truly settled.