Astoria District Chooses DSA-Backed Successor in Decisive 74 Percent Vote
Diana Moreno won a decisive victory in Tuesday’s special election to succeed Mayor Zohran Mamdani in the 36th Assembly District, capturing nearly 74 percent of the vote in a race that solidified the neighborhood’s status as a stronghold for the Democratic Socialists of America. Moreno, a 38-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant and longtime organizer with NYC-DSA, defeated three challengers in a low-turnout special election held during a brutal cold snap that discouraged many voters.
The Victory Margin
Moreno’s dominance in the race was nearly complete. Running on both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party lines, she collected nearly 74 percent of the vote with 99 percent of ballots counted. The second-place finisher, Rana Abdelhamid, a nonprofit leader and anti-violence organizer, received approximately 17 percent of the votea margin of roughly 57 percentage points. Mary Jobaida, a Bangladeshi immigrant advocating for the Queensbridge Houses community, finished third with approximately 8 percent.
The Unusual Primary Competition
The margin between Moreno’s two ballot lines was minimaljust 200 votes separated her Democratic line performance from her Working Families Party line showing. This reflected the unusual nature of special elections, in which voters receive one ballot rather than competing in separate party primaries.
Mamdani’s Political Endorsement
Mayor Mamdani actively campaigned for Moreno, filming video advertisements and attending her election night celebration at Barzola, an Ecuadorian restaurant in Astoria. Mamdani traveled from City Hall to welcome Moreno to the office he held before his election as mayor. He stated that there is no one he would rather see leading the district and the fight for working people across the state. His endorsement proved decisive in a district where his own mayoral vote share reached 70 percent.
Moreno’s Background and Campaign Message
Moreno has spent nearly a decade as a DSA organizer and community activist. She framed her campaign as a continuation of Mamdani’s political movement and promised to fight for his agenda in the state legislature. At her election night party, she referenced the district’s nicknamethe People’s Republic of Astoriaa reference to its strong support for socialist candidates. She pledged to fight for universal childcare, immigrant protections, and affordable housing throughout the district and across the state.
Broader Political Alignment
Moreno’s victory reflects unprecedented political alignment in the district. She received endorsements from Mayor Mamdani, the NYC-DSA, the Working Families Party, and the Queens County Democratic Partyan alignment described as rare or unprecedented. The alignment occurred because the Queens Democratic Party leadership calculated that nominating Moreno was preferable to fighting a battle they would likely lose against a candidate backed by the popular new mayor and a growing political movement.
Historical Significance for DSA
Moreno’s victory marks at least a decade of consecutive electoral wins in the district for DSA-backed candidates. The district is now represented exclusively by DSA members at every level of government: City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, Assembly Member Moreno, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Voter Motivation
According to exit interviews conducted by local media, many voters cited Mamdani’s endorsement as decisive in their voting choice. One voter stated, I really love that Zohran backed her and I love what she stands for too. Another noted that endorsements from Mamdani and DSA indicated Moreno represented continued strength and cohesion within the community’s progressive movement.
Challenges Ahead
Despite winning the special election for the remainder of the current term, Moreno will need to run for the seat again in June and November 2026 to serve a full term. City Council redistricting and other political developments could influence future electoral dynamics.
Moreno’s Policy Priorities
Moreno has pledged to be an unwavering ally to Mayor Mamdani and part of the same working-class movement that elected him to City Hall. She has emphasized support for union workers, immigrant communities, and renters across the district. She stated she is committed to fighting every single day to ensure the district becomes a model for the future the movement wants to see in the country.
Party Dynamics
The special election provides insight into broader NYC political dynamics. The Queens Democratic Party’s decision to back Moreno represents a significant shift from years of resistance to DSA-backed candidates. This change reflects Mamdani’s electoral success and the movement’s growing power within Democratic Party structures. Learn more about Democratic Socialists of America, the assembly district, and political analysis.
