Democratic socialist nominated by party for special election, continues city’s progressive political momentum
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s seat in the New York State Assembly became the subject of a high-stakes special election following his elevation to City Hall, with the Queens Democratic Party nominating his hand-picked successor, Diana Moreno, as its official candidate for the February 3, 2026 race. Moreno’s nomination reflected a striking political shift in which the county Democratic establishment embraced a democratic socialist candidate rather than risk losing the seat to a progressive challenger running on a third-party line.
Party Endorsement and Political Realignment
The Queens Democratic Party voted on January 5, 2026 to nominate Moreno, an Ecuadorian-born organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, as its official nominee for the 36th Assembly District. The decision appeared to represent a capitulation by a historically moderate Democratic county organization confronting an overwhelmingly progressive constituency. Mamdani had previously represented the district after defeating a longtime incumbent in 2020, transforming western Queens into a democratic socialist stronghold. Current representatives in the district include U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and City Council Member Tiffany Caban, both DSA-aligned progressives.
Moreno’s Campaign and Background
Moreno, who launched her campaign in October 2025, brings grassroots organizing experience from her work with the New Immigrant Community Empowerment nonprofit and the New York State Nurses Association. Before entering electoral politics, she served as co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America’s Queens branch, organizing around tenant rights, immigrant protections, and universal childcare. Her candidacy explicitly frames itself as a continuation of Mamdani’s affordability agenda, with particular emphasis on expanding childcare subsidies across all five boroughs.
Primary Opposition and Competitive Dynamics
Despite the official party nomination, Moreno faces competitive pressure from fellow DSA members Rana Abdelhamid and Mary Jobaida, who are running on the “Queens for All” and “People First” ballot lines respectively. Abdelhamid, who founded the nonprofit Malikah and organizes around gendered violence and eviction prevention, secured an endorsement from retiring U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez. Jobaida emphasizes environmental justice alongside affordability. All four candidates broadly agree that housing affordability represents the greatest challenge to the district.
Democratic Consolidation Strategy
According to Queens Eagle reporting, Queens Democratic Chair Gregory Meeks acknowledged that the party faced a choice between nominating Moreno or suffering potential humiliation as a progressive third-party candidate won the seat. The City and State New York analysis described the endorsement as an “olive branch” from a county organization that had notably declined to back Mamdani during his own mayoral race less than two years prior. The special election ultimately reflects how Mamdani’s victory reshaped New York City Democratic politics, with the progressive movement demonstrating sustained electoral power.
