In the throes of a buzzing New York primary, challenger Kristen González declared victory on Aug. 24 against centrist candidate Elizabeth Crowley, and will head to the general elections for a State Senate race. 

González, 27, ran on a Democratic Socialist platform while competing for New York’s 59th District against former City Councilmember Crowley, cousin of former State Rep. Joe Crowley. 

She trumped the election with 59% of the vote, while Crowley, who New York City Mayor Eric Adams endorsed, amassed 33%. 

“Today we really proved that socialism wins,” said González upon learning she was the projected victor, before giving her official remarks. 

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Crowley’s bitter defeat follows a unique pattern of defeat by Democratic Socialist candidates. 

Joe Crowley, a  formerly uncontested incumbent, was unseated by Alexandra Ocasio Cortéz in an unprecedented grassroots campaign in 2018. The election is considered one of the biggest political upsets in recent memory. 

Like the former U.S. Rep, Elizabeth Crowley had a financial leg up on González, and her outspending efforts received regular media coverage throughout campaigning. 

Although Crowley pledged she wouldn’t accept donations from big real-estate developers on her campaign website, New York’s The City reported that she lined her bid’s pockets with significant dollars from industry giants. 

It is reported that she raised over $500,000 from fewer than 400 donations, a stark contrast to González’ $148,000, raised through some 3,000 donations. 

When questioned about the source of her donations, Crowley told The City: “It is clear that my opponent wants to only focus on the inside political track. Despite that — I’m not playing that game. The stakes are too high and voters at every door I visit are deeply concerned how we will improve their quality of life. That’s why I am running.”

Before starting her political career, González interned for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schummer. For her, who left a coveted tech role to pursue local politics, Crowley’s funds were an early indicator of the type of rep she would become if she were to hold office. 

“That’s an indicator of who she’ll be accountable to, of what interests will influence her when in Albany,” she told The City. “It’s contrary to what the communities of Senate District 59, which are working class, deserve.”

In a concession speech given at a gathering in a small Long Island City bar, Crowley attributed her loss to “forces” that were against her. 

Crowley’s defeat is one in a very crowded field of candidates who vied for Senate seats after the city’s 12th district had undergone redrawing, pitting longtime Democratic Senators Jerry Nadler and Carlyn Maloney against each other at the federal level. 

Nadler ultimately secured the nomination.

In another dead-heat race, wealth heir Daniel Goldman defeated Assembly Member Yuh-Line by a narrow margin. Incumbent Rep. Mondaire Jones came in third.