The primaries in New York show a new energy in US politics Thoughts

The Democratic primaries held in New York on June 23 may be remembered as a turning point in American politics. Although these competitions were limited to New York, their effects spread far and wide. These results marked a major shift in the Democratic Party, showed the growth of progressive politics, and confirmed the emergence of Muslim and Arab Americans as a growing force in society.

Taken together, these developments suggest that long-held assumptions about political power, representation, and the boundaries of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are beginning to change.

For many years, support for Israel was a special protection in American politics. Supporters who questioned military aid to Israel, criticized Israeli policy or openly opposed Palestinian rights were often excluded from the political scene. Organizations like AIPAC helped set the boundaries through fundraising and political lobbying that led to elections across the country.

The New York primaries show that the landscape is changing.

A number of progressives who oppose Israel’s war on Gaza and support Palestinian independence won out over supporters of the Democratic establishment. Their victory reflects a major shift among Democratic voters, especially younger Americans whose views on Israel and Palestine differ significantly from previous generations.

At the center of this shift is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has quickly emerged as one of the most up-and-coming figures in the Democratic Party. Through grassroots movements, labor unions, digital communications, volunteerism and progressive networks, Mamdani has demonstrated how progressive politics can be translated into electoral power.

The June primaries reflected that influence. Brad Lander defeated Congressman Dan Goldman, one of the strongest defenders of Israel in Congress. Darializa Avila Chevalier who was not the former Congressman Adriano Espaillat. Claire Valdez won her election as she advocated for a review of US military aid to Israel. More symbolically, the American Palestinian representative, Aber Kawas, won the Democratic nomination for a seat in the New York State Senate, showing that support for Palestinian rights is no longer the political responsibility it once was.

The common factor in this success was not just ideas but organization. These campaigns relied more on social media, volunteer networks and voter participation than on traditional politics. Their victory challenged another long-standing assumption in American politics: that money alone determines the outcome of an election.

AIPAC remains one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in Washington and continues to control vast amounts of money. However, the New York results show that even the most political spending cannot defeat a grassroots movement, especially when voters perceive a problem. For many young Americans, Gaza has become such an issue.

The destruction of the war, the increase in the number of Palestinian civilians, the increase in the population of the West Bank occupied by Israel and the Israeli military activities in southern Lebanon have all contributed to the intense scrutiny of the policies of the Israeli government. Increasingly, young voters see these issues not as external concerns but as questions of human rights and justice.

The importance of these events continues in New York. The same politics that is reshaping the Democratic Party is also increasing the rise of Muslim and Arab Americans as active participants in national politics.

Over the years, these communities have participated in American democracy, yet they have remained largely unrepresented in elected office. That imbalance is beginning to change.

The 2026 election has seen many Muslim and Arab Americans running for office in all states. Most importantly, many are succeeding because they are building more electoral alliances rather than relying on ethnic or religious groups.

In New Jersey, Egyptian-American physician and military veteran Adam Hamawy secured the Democratic nomination for Congress after gathering support that went beyond Arab and Muslim voters. In California, State Senator Aisha Wahab won the Democratic race, showing how Muslim American representatives are increasingly emerging as political leaders who can represent diverse communities.

Perhaps the most important race outside of New York is taking place in Michigan, home to America’s largest Arab communities. There, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a physician, health expert, and health director in Detroit, is running for the United States Senate. His campaign, focused on health reform, economic justice and democratic accountability, has made significant progress. Many observers see him as the favorite to win, which would make history in Arab American political participation and progressive politics across the country.

What connects these candidates to the changes witnessed in New York is the growing belief that political participation should go beyond declaration and control. Increasingly, Muslim and Arab Americans view electoral politics not as a means of representation but as a way of making policy and exercising power.

The war in Gaza has accelerated this process. Across the country, community organizations are showing increased levels of voter registration, fundraising, candidate recruitment, and community organizing. The generation born of the post-9/11 era and now the conflict in Gaza is eager to translate political frustration into electoral influence.

Problems still exist. Muslim and Arab American advocates continue to face religious, identity and foreign policy challenges, while harassment and disinformation remain obstacles.

However, these difficulties do not settle the matter.

The larger issue is one of political and democratic integration. The victory in New York, the rise of the progressive movement, and the increasing success of Muslim and Arab Americans all point in the same direction. Together, they show the emergence of regions that are not content with seeking power from the outside but are willing to use it internally.

It is unclear whether this changes American foreign policy. What is already clear, however, is that the political landscape is changing. Voices relegated to the fringes are moving to the center, and ideas that have shaped American politics for generations are being tested by new electorates.

That could be the eternal lesson of 2026: not that new candidates won the elections, but that new political groups have arrived, and they want to stay.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.