Comedian Bill Maher has labeled Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist candidate who won the Democratic primary for New York's 13th Congressional District, as "patient zero" of the "woke mind virus." Maher's critique, aired on his show "Real Time with Bill Maher," focused on Chevalier's response to questions regarding incarceration for convicted murderers and her past controversial statements.
During an interview with The New York Times Editorial Board, Chevalier was pressed on whether a person convicted of murder should be jailed. She did not directly affirm that incarceration is the appropriate response, instead stating that "the fact that the murder happened is tragic. The fact that there was a circumstance in which that could even come to pass is tragic, and all of that is a reflection of systems that allowed that circumstance to be possible."
Maher also highlighted Chevalier's past social media remarks, including descriptions of the United States as "occupied native land" and "a f---ing disgrace." She has also indicated plans to kneel during the congressional oath of office. Chevalier, who defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in the primary with 49.4% of the vote, has expressed opposition to all deportations, viewing them as a "cruel punishment" based on place of birth. Her campaign platform includes calls to "Abolish ICE," implement Medicare for All, Housing for All, and adopt a "Babies, not Bombs" agenda, with stated goals to "fight to abolish the deportation machine" and "divest" funds from foreign wars. The New York Times has characterized Chevalier as a candidate who has "voiced support for abolishing the police, borders and prisons and seizing property from landlords." Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly supported Chevalier despite scrutiny of her past statements and political positions.