Fellow DSA Member Wins Special Election for NYC Mayor's Former Assembly Seat

Diana Moreno secures 74% of the vote to fill Zohran Mamdani's state Assembly seat in Queens

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A 38-year-old Democratic Socialist named Diana Moreno has won a special election to fill the state Assembly seat previously held by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Moreno, a community organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), secured 74% of the vote, defeating two other DSA candidates in the race for Assembly District 36 in Queens.

Why it matters

The special election victory for Moreno, who was endorsed by both Mamdani and the DSA, highlights the growing influence of the democratic socialist movement in New York City politics. It also marks a political standoff between Mayor Mamdani and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who endorsed a different DSA candidate in the race.

The details

In addition to Moreno's win, two other former New York City Council members were elected to state legislative seats in special elections on Tuesday. Erik Bottcher (D) won 92% of the vote to become a state senator, while Keith Powers (D) won 82% to take over a Manhattan Assembly district.

  • The special elections were held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • Zohran Mamdani served in the state Assembly from 2021 until his mayoral victory in November 2025.

The players

Diana Moreno

A 38-year-old Democratic Socialist and community organizer who won the special election for New York's 36th Assembly District.

Zohran Mamdani

The former New York State Assemblymember for District 36, who is now the Mayor of New York City.

Nydia Velázquez

The retiring Congresswoman for New York's 7th Congressional District, who endorsed a different DSA candidate in the Assembly race against Moreno.

Erik Bottcher

A former New York City Council member who won a special election to become a state senator.

Keith Powers

A former New York City Council Majority Leader who won a special election to the state Assembly.

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What they’re saying

“Honeymoons are short, and people need to pay attention to the work at hand.”

— Nydia Velázquez, Congresswoman (New York Times)

What’s next

A separate special election is expected to be held in the spring to fill Erik Bottcher's former New York City Council seat, with his chief of staff Carl Wilson expected to be the favorite.

The takeaway

The special election victories for Diana Moreno and other Democratic Socialists highlight the growing influence of the left-wing movement in New York City politics, even as it creates political tensions between Mayor Mamdani and Congresswoman Velázquez.