Hunter Biden on democratic socialists’ wins: ‘Country is tired of being managed’

Hunter Biden said the Democratic Party should rethink its political strategy after a slate of progressive and socialist candidates backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) won their primary races in New York this week.

The son of former President Biden said the string of victories showed voters are more receptive to candidates with more definitive ideological positions than establishment Democrats.

“The middle is not a strategy,” he said in a post on the social platform X detailing his takeaways from Tuesday’s election night. “Voters reached past the establishment to grab someone who actually believes something.”

Biden said candidates who spoke directly about core issues including affordability, housing security and the war in Gaza outperformed more moderate rivals. He said focusing on cost of living is “everything.”

“Conviction beats caution. The candidates who said hard things about rent, about who pays for what, about Gaza, they won. The triangulators lost,” Biden said.

Biden praised Mamdani’s political approach and leadership, writing, “If you want to lead a party you have to be willing to fight inside it. Mamdani didn’t ask permission. He took the field.”

His reflections follow a strong night for Mamdani-backed candidates, whose key victories in three New York districts against opponents backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and House Democratic leaders highlighted Mamdani’s growing influence within the party.

All three of Mamdani’s picks in a series of House primary races won their bids.

Former mayoral candidate Brad Lander unseated Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) in the 10th Congressional District while political newcomer Darializa Avila Chevalier notably ousted five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) in the 13th District.

Democratic socialist Claire Valdez also scored a win in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) in the 7th District.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y) dismissed concerns that the primary wins could hurt Democrats in the midterms, noting that he and Mamdani have a “very good” relationship.

“The mayor and I agree to strongly disagree about some of his endorsements,” he said when asked about Mamdani’s decision to endorse against incumbents. “He’s got work to do in terms of the conversations that he’s going to have with members of Congress moving forward.”