Six left-wing challengers projected to join House as Democrats take control

Six candidates expected to join the U.S. House of Representatives this winter brought anti-establishment platforms to their primary campaigns, defeating incumbent Democrats in New York, Michigan, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. These legislators will join a chamber where Democrats are projected to regain the majority following Tuesday night's midterm elections. The group includes members of the Democratic Socialists of America and former state officials who capitalized on an anti-incumbent wave during the 2026 election cycle.

Darializa Avila Chevalier is projected to represent New York's 13th congressional district, which includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. She defeated Adriano Espaillat, the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in the general election after an upset in the primary. Chevalier, who was born in Florida to Dominican immigrant parents and attended Columbia University, has withheld support for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to become speaker. She stated to Vanity Fair that she requires specific commitments on progressive issues, including Medicare for All. A deleted post on X in which she described wiping her hands on an American flag also drew criticism from future Republican colleagues.

Claire Valdez is projected to take over the seat for New York's 7th congressional district, covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Valdez, a member of the New York State Assembly and the DSA, defeated a candidate backed by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the primary. She has not confirmed her support for Jeffries for speaker. In an interview with New York Magazine, she said she would not negotiate in public but would see how the midterm results played out. Her campaign website lists her as a dual citizen of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation and the United States.

Donavan McKinney is projected to enter Congress for Michigan's 13th congressional district, which includes parts of Detroit and its suburbs. McKinney, a DSA member backed by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, defeated Rep. Shri Thanedar in the primary. Thanedar, a former DSA member, left the organization over members' reactions to the October 7 Hamas attack. McKinney told Jacobin Magazine that his top policy goals include Medicare for All, universal childcare, and removing corporate money from elections. He accused his primary opponent of taking campaign funds from Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractors and the pro-Israel lobby.

Melat Kiros is projected to win Colorado's 1st congressional district, ending the tenure of Rep. Diana DeGette, who served since 1997. Kiros, a 29-year-old former attorney and DSA member, defeated DeGette in a primary upset. Born in Ethiopia before her father won the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, Kiros has drawn attention for her anti-Israel stance. Multiple reports indicate she called the October 7 attack an inevitable result of Israel's actions and has opposed the country's existence as a Jewish state. She is among the new members who have not committed to supporting Jeffries for speaker.

Chris Rabb, a Pennsylvania state lawmaker, is poised to represent the state's 3rd congressional district. The democratic socialist has called for the U.S. to dismantle the military industrial complex, cease imperialist foreign policy, and end regime-change efforts. His platform also includes a universal basic income, guaranteed housing, high-speed internet, free transit, and national grocery stores. In an August interview with CBS' Face the Nation, Rabb argued that relying on institutionalist and corporate Democrats was a mistake, citing polling data that showed voter exhaustion.

Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller, is projected to represent New York's 10th congressional district, which includes downtown Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. Lander is not a current DSA member but received backing from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other socialist figures. His primary race was a proxy battle between the establishment left and socialist factions, with incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman backed by Jeffries. Lander was detained by Israeli law enforcement during a trip to the West Bank to join olive harvesters. He was released after authorities identified him. Unlike several of his New York colleagues, Lander has said he is inclined to support Jeffries for speaker.