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Attorney and professor Juan Carlos Polanco calls June primaries a 'political earthquake' for city Democrats
Summary
On Diálogo Abierto, attorney and Mount Saint Vincent professor Juan Carlos Polanco said the June 23 Democratic primaries represented a dramatic shift in New York City politics, citing low turnout, changing district demographics and an influx of younger, more progressive voters as causes of incumbent losses in several Bronx and citywide races.
Attorney and professor Juan Carlos Polanco said the June 23 Democratic primary results marked “un terremoto político” for New York City’s Democratic Party, where several candidates identified with socialist platforms won key contests.
Polanco spoke on Diálogo Abierto on June 24, 2026, with host Javier E. Gómez. He pointed to low primary participation and demographic change in certain districts as main drivers of the upsets, including the defeat of the incumbent identified on the program as Adriano Espayat by Daria Lisa Ávila Chevalier and other victories by candidates the program described as socialists.
Why it matters: Polanco framed the results as a test of the party’s nomination strategy and grassroots reach. He argued that in districts where only a small share of registered Democrats vote in primaries, organized cohorts of new or younger voters can change outcomes quickly, undermining the advantages of long-serving incumbents.
Polanco said the mechanics of who can vote in primaries — open versus more restricted rules — and the presence of a large independent electorate can reshape contests. “Si no votan… y eso es que pasa,” he said on air, urging civic responsibility and higher turnout to reflect a broader constituency.
The interview cited several local races discussed on the program: the seat held by Adriano Espayat (described as defeated by Daria Lisa Ávila Chevalier on air), Claire Valdez’s victory over Antonio Reynoso, and the re-election of Richie Torres in a southern Bronx district, which Polanco presented as a contrasting case where an incumbent prevailed despite broader citywide shifts.
Polanco characterized some policy positions associated with the new candidates — on taxation, criminal justice and public ownership — as substantially different from mainstream Democratic platforms, and said that difference helps explain why some traditional voters are alarmed. He also emphasized that being a member of one party does not legally bar a candidate from taking positions the party or voters might consider extreme; the question, he said, is political and strategic rather than purely legal.
The program did not provide formal vote tallies or official filings for the races discussed; the analysis reflected Polanco’s interpretation of results, turnout and demographic trends as presented in the interview. No formal resolutions, motions or official actions were taken on the program.
Next steps: Polanco urged greater voter participation in primaries and suggested party leaders consider how nomination rules and outreach should adapt to changing district populations. The host closed the segment and moved to the next guest.
