House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed concerns following the victories of three progressive candidates in New York's primaries, stating that communism is now a threat in the United States. Johnson emphasized the need for Americans to recognize this threat during a news conference on Wednesday. He remarked, "The Marxists have nominated some of the most radical candidates to ever run for office, and they're running for Congress."
The candidates, Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier, received support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), successfully unseating two Democratic incumbents. A third candidate, State Assembly member Claire Valdez, D-N.Y., also won an open House seat with the DSA's endorsement. Johnson noted that these candidates are likely to win in November due to the Democratic Party's strong presence in these districts.
The candidates are known for their critical stance on Israel, their support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and their advocacy for a wealth tax. Avila Chevalier, who has been involved in pro-Palestinian protests, faced scrutiny for past social media posts where she expressed controversial views.
Johnson highlighted the defeat of Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who faced antisemitic attacks during his campaign, and remarked on the significant changes within the Democratic Party, stating, "This is not your father's Democrat Party." He has previously warned about the increasing influence of the far-left ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, framing it as a contrast between common sense and radicalism. Johnson also mentioned other socialist candidates emerging across the country, indicating a broader trend within the Democratic Party.