Democratic Socialist Wins Special Election for NYC Assembly Seat Vacated by Mayor Mamdani

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Democratic Socialist Diana Moreno won a special election Tuesday to represent Queens’ 36th District in the New York State Assembly, filling the seat vacated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his election last fall.

Moreno, a 38-year-old community organizer backed by Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, won by a wide margin, capturing roughly three-quarters of the vote, according to election results reported by the Associated Press. She defeated two candidates aligned with the same political movement in a low-turnout contest.

The Assembly seat had been held by Mamdani since 2021 and became vacant following his victory in the mayoral race. Moreno’s decisive win cements continued DSA representation in the district.

The race also highlighted growing strains within New York City’s progressive political circles. U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez endorsed one of Moreno’s opponents, Rana Abdelhamid, a move widely seen as part of a broader disagreement with Mamdani over endorsements in other races. Velázquez has publicly criticized the mayor for backing candidates opposed by her political allies.

Elsewhere in the city, voters filled two additional legislative vacancies. Manhattan City Council Member Erik Bottcher won a special election for a state Senate seat, while former City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers secured a decisive victory for an Assembly seat on the Lower East Side.

Both men defeated Republican opponents by large margins. Bottcher’s move to the Senate is expected to trigger another special election later this year to fill his City Council seat.