Chevalier Downplays Rift With Mayor Over Police Commissioner Calls

House candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier has publicly stated that her relationship with Mayor Zohran Madmani remains strong, despite recent calls for the resignation of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Chevalier, a vocal critic, reiterated her stance on Commissioner Tisch's leadership following an incident, asserting that Tisch "did not need the moment."

Chevalier told WNYC that reports of a significant rift between herself and the mayor are exaggerated, claiming they recently discussed a New York Post article about their relationship and found it "ridiculous." She stated, "When the mayor and I spoke about the article after it came out, we were cracking jokes about the ridiculousness of the article itself. Like there is no, there is nothing true about that New York Post article. And, you know, I think it’s – we have a great relationship."

Despite her criticism of Tisch, Chevalier also noted what she perceives as alignment with the mayor on other issues. "I also think the mayor and I have or see eye-to-eye on most of this, right? He is already putting funds towards accountability, right, mechanisms of accountability to NYPD. He’s already said that there’s going to be a robust investigation into what happened within 24 hours after the shooting and, you know, I think and he’s also said that he is working to disband the SRG," she said.

Chevalier, associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has been a proponent of disbanding the Strategic Response Group (SRG), a measure Mayor Madmani has not yet enacted. Sources suggest internal tensions exist, with some of Madmani's staff viewing Chevalier as a potential political liability. The situation is described as complex due to Chevalier's relationship with Ramzi Kassem, a City Hall attorney with influence within the administration.