Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic socialist and community organizer, has unseated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary for New York's 13th Congressional District. The victory marks a significant outcome in a race that also served as a test of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political influence.
Avila Chevalier, 32, who worked on Mamdani's campaign, received the mayor's endorsement in her challenge against Espaillat, 71, the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Her campaign focused on themes such as making housing a human right, universal health care, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and combating corporate greed. She argued that Espaillat had not adequately represented the working-class constituents in the district, which encompasses Upper Manhattan and parts of the West Bronx.
"I see that all over my community, when folks talk about the moment that we’re in, where their rents are rising, more and more of our loved ones are moving away because they just can’t afford to stay here, and all of that coinciding with a housing crisis," Avila Chevalier stated Tuesday on the radio show The Breakfast Club.
Despite Espaillat's lead in recent polling and endorsements from establishment figures like Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, Avila Chevalier's campaign gained momentum with Mamdani's support. Espaillat out-raised Avila Chevalier, with $2.6 million to her $1.1 million. Mamdani highlighted Avila Chevalier's past work, including efforts to free individuals detained by ICE, as critical qualifications for the congressional seat.
"She has built a campaign that’s on the precipice of making her the next congressperson," Mamdani said. "But what she needs is to just break through to New Yorkers who are too busy trying to make ends meet to think about the next election."
The endorsement by Mamdani drew criticism from some within the Democratic party, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Latino leaders on Capitol Hill, who supported Espaillat. Rep. Juan Vargas of California described the situation as "outrageous."
This race also illuminated political tensions, including Espaillat's decision not to endorse Mamdani in his primary last year, despite Mamdani later backing Espaillat. Mamdani's support for Avila Chevalier came amid her criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, while Espaillat has maintained ties with the pro-Israel group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, whose super PAC contributed significantly to a group backing his campaign.
Espaillat had previously downplayed the significance of the mayor's endorsement, stating, "Mayor Mamdani is entitled to support the candidate of his choice. But one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do."