Democratic socialists target moderates in NY state Assembly primary races
Six DSA-backed incumbents and challengers are trying to expand the socialist footprint in New York state’s Legislature during Tuesday’s primaries.
But moderate Dems such as Michael Benedetto — who faces a rematch with Jonathan Soto, a Democratic Socialist who worked for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — hope to keep their left-wing pipedreams in check.
“The people in my district know Soto is for defunding the police,” Benedetto told The Post Tuesday.
“It’s a utopian position that puts my constituents’ public safety at risk.”
Many powerful Democratic leaders have waded into Assembly races to avoid seeing DSA candidates take over in their backyards.
Notably, the Brooklyn-based race between moderate incumbent Stefani Zinerman and challenger Eon Huntley has drawn the attention of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and state Attorney General Letitia James.
Both Jeffries and James have endorsed Zinerman, hitting local churches for her Sunday alongside Rep. Yvette Clarke.
“The people who are voters here are legacy brownstone homeowners,” said Lupe Todd, a spokesperson for Zinerman. “Those folks are going to vote for Zinerman, who has an understanding of the district.”
The bigwigs’ backing — besides helping Jeffries try to avoid having a DSA lawmaker represent him in his Bed-Stuy state Assembly district — also exposes a divide between moderate, mostly pro-Israel Democrats and their lefty, pro-Palestinian counterparts.
Most DSA candidates such as Huntley have taken an anti-Israel stance over the state’s actions in the war in Gaza.
Huntley posted a primary-eve string of tweets that not only called for a ceasefire, but also argued Zinerman’s backing by a pro-Israel group showed “her complicity has been bought.”
“I will always stand with oppressed people,” he wrote on X.
Follow The Post’s live blog for updates on Tuesday’s primary races
Benedetto said Soto has called him a “warmonger” for supporting Israel. The veteran pol said the situation in Gaza is horrible, but it was triggered by Hamas declaring war and invading the Jewish State on Oct. 7.
“I can’t fault Israel for what they’re doing,” he said. “They’re fighting for their homeland like we did after 9/11.”
Other Assembly races with DSA candidates include the three-way contest in Queens between Assemblyman Juan Ardila, who faces sex-abuse accusations, and party-backed candidate Johanna Carmona and DSA-supported Claire Valdez.
Socialist incumbent Emily Gallagher is hoping to keep her North Brooklyn seat against Anathea Simpkins.
Another DSA incumbent — Sarahana Shrestha — faces a challenge from Gabi Madden in an upstate district.
And longtime Poughkeepsie-area Assemblywoman Didi Barrett is fighting off DSA-backed challenger Claire Cousin.
