Tuesday's primaries in New York, Maryland, and Utah offer insights into the Democratic Party's direction, but one race in New York's 17th Congressional District stands out for its potential November impact. The Democratic primary tests whether Republicans can manipulate Democratic voters with deceptive attack ads. Worried about Rep. Mike Lawler's (R-N.Y.) reelection chances, Republicans have meddled in the Democratic primary with an ad targeting Cait Conley, one of five Democrats vying for the nomination.
Republican-Linked PAC Targets Conley
A group called Progressive Champions PAC aired a TV ad claiming that Conley, an Army officer who deployed to combat zones and leads in the primary, consulted for a firm that partnered with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor. “Conley pocketed over $300 grand from firms supporting the apparatus weaponized by ICE,” the ad states. However, Progressive Champions PAC is not a progressive organization; it was created last month within minutes of another shadowy PAC, and campaign finance records suggest both have ties to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC controlled by House Republican leadership. Neither Progressive Champions PAC nor the CLF responded to requests for comment.
Conley told HuffPost, “It is very clear that Mike Lawler is terrified to face me in November, and he is willing to go to any length to try to prevent that from happening.” She argued she would be a stronger opponent than her nearest rival, Beth Davidson, a Rockland County legislator, because Lawler has previously beaten “Democratic politicians” in government. “He has never had to face someone like me before,” Conley said.
Sham Republican PACs Have Meddled Before
A network of sham Republican PACs has interfered in other Democratic primaries with mixed results. One group backed Maureen Galindo, an unsuccessful Texas Democratic primary candidate who suggested turning an ICE detention center into “a prison for American Zionists.” Another supported Matthew Dunlap over Joe Baldacci in Maine's Democratic primary to face former Gov. Paul LePage; Dunlap won when the race was called over the weekend.
Mamdani Tests Influence in NYC Primaries
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three progressive candidates in contested congressional primaries. Brad Lander, a former city comptroller, is expected to easily defeat incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in Manhattan. In Queens and Brooklyn's “Commie Corridor,” Mamdani backed Assemblywoman Claire Valdez against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez's seat; Velazquez supports Reynoso. In the third race, Mamdani endorsed organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier against incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, angering House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “The Democratic Party must change,” Mamdani said at a rally.
Trump Avoids Losing Streak in South Carolina
President Donald Trump, after losses in Iowa and Georgia gubernatorial primaries, endorsed both candidates in South Carolina's Republican runoff for governor: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Evette led the June 9 primary with under 29%, barely ahead of Wilson, but public polling shows Wilson leading by 7 to 28 points. Trump wrote on social media, “I can't hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!”
Redistricting Wars Threaten Maryland Senate President
In Baltimore, social media influencer Bobby LePin is challenging Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, known for opposing congressional redistricting. Ferguson recently shifted stance, suggesting lines could be redrawn before 2028, potentially eliminating a GOP-held seat. LePin's long-shot bid highlights Democratic grassroots anger over redistricting.
Progressives Risk Vote Splitting in Open Seats
In Maryland's 5th District, where former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is retiring, Del. Adrian Boafo is backed by over $11 million in crypto and pro-Israel super PAC spending. He faces 23 candidates, including former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker and former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, and is unlikely to win a majority. In Utah's new Democratic-leaning seat, former Rep. Ben McAdams, a moderate, faces left-wing challengers state Sen. Nate Blouin and Liban Mohamed. McAdams, boosted by an AI-funded super PAC, may benefit from vote splitting among progressives.
