Democrat who has served 30 years in Congress blames 'sexist systems and misogyny' for landslide primary loss

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is blaming sexism for her landslide primary election loss on Tuesday.

Maloney campaigned for New York's redrawn 12th Congressional District against fellow Democratic congressman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). Because New York lost one congressional seat after the 2020 census, sitting Democratic lawmakers were forced to make tough campaign decisions and, in some cases, to run against each other.

Maloney lost by 30 points. She has served in Congress since 1993.

What is Maloney saying?

Speaking to supporters in a concession speech, Maloney immediately turned to gender after listing her congressional accomplishments.

"I am proud to have followed in the footsteps and stand on the shoulders of the strong New York women who opened doors and took on the tough battles," Maloney said, citing Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Geraldine Ferraro.

"These heroic women fought sexist systems and misogyny that continues today — as we know from my campaign," Maloney added, which the New York Post called "an obvious dig" at Nadler.

Maloney later said again, "I’m really sad that we no longer have a woman representing Manhattan in Congress."

Anything else?

While Nadler and Maloney showed respect for one another on election night, the Democratic lawmakers took potshots at one another in the closing days and weeks of their primary campaigns.

For example, Nadler boasted to reporters on Tuesday before his victory that his record is more progressive than Maloney's.

"I think Carolyn and I have worked on a lot of things together, but I think I have a more principled, progressive record," Nadler said after casting his ballot, the New York Post reported. "She voted for war in Iraq, I voted against it. She voted for the Patriot Act, I voted against it. She voted against the Iran deal, I voted for the Iran deal."

On the other hand, Maloney appeared to question Nadler's mental faculties over the weekend, targeting a recent debate gaffe of his.

"I think that you should read the editorial in the NY Post today. They call him senile," Maloney told reporters. "They cite his performance at the debate, where he couldn’t even remember who he impeached. He said he impeached [former President George W.] Bush."