NYC Democratic Socialists Claim Victories Over State Incumbents

NEW YORK CITY — A New York City wave of Democratic Socialists of America and other left-backed candidates appears headed to Albany.

Long-awaited absentee ballots results from the June 23 Democratic primary showed a socialist surge in state Assembly races.

It washed out several incumbents, including 23-term Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, who conceded Wednesday to neighborhood organizer Emily Gallagher.

"I can't believe I am writing this but it's official: we won," Gallagher tweeted.

Gallagher's upset victory in North Brooklyn was joined by Phara Souffrant Forrest, who claimed a win Wednesday over incumbent Assembly Member Walter Mosley in a nearby Brooklyn District.

In another borough that day, Zohran Mamdani prevailed over Assembly Member Aravella Simotas in Queens.

Last week, absentee votes allowed Marcela Mitaynes to claim victory over incumbent Felix Ortiz in a West Brooklyn district.

Mamdani, Mitaynes and Souffrant Forrest are all backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, which appeared nearing what its backers called a "clean sweep" of its primary races.

Gallagher, who is a socialist, didn't get official DSA backing but is ideologically close to the other candidates.

Another DSA candidate — Jabari Brisport — held a lead against state Assembly Member Tremaine Wright in a race for a Brooklyn state Senate seat.

"The socialist lunch table in Albany keeps growing!" Brisport tweeted.