A young anti-war candidate is challenging a powerful New York Democrat, framing US politics as a fight against both parties rather than left versus right — energizing for voters tired of the establishment, threatening for incumbents.

• Jose Vega, 27, is running in the Bronx against Richie Torres, a well-funded incumbent backed by major Democratic leaders and big donors.
• His core message: stop foreign wars, especially a possible war with Iran, and end what he calls a Congress controlled by special interests.
• He says young people on both the right and left are dropping party labels and fear being drafted into a war they want no part of.
• He pitches rebuilding the poor Bronx with jobs and infrastructure, comparing its neglect to the destruction of Gaza.
• He is running as both a Democrat and an independent, so he stays on the November ballot even if he loses the primary.

Outlook: The primary is days away, and win or lose, Vega plans to keep running through November under his own party line.