Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke has publicly praised Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier for her stance on interracial marriage, remarks that have drawn criticism and comparisons to the white supremacist leader. Chevalier, who recently won the Democratic primary for New York's 13th Congressional District, had previously posted on social media in 2019 criticizing Black and Arab men for "fetishizing ugly colonizer women."
Duke told the Washington Free Beacon that he believes individuals have the right to preserve their heritage. "And if she's concerned about preserving her heritage if it's Somali, or whatever she is, she's certainly got the right to do that," Duke stated. Chevalier, who identifies as Afro-Latina, is part of a group of candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The controversy surrounding Chevalier's past posts has led some political observers to draw parallels between her and Duke. One unnamed Democrat told journalist Mark Halperin that Chevalier is "our David Duke" and is "poisoning the possibility of a Democratic majority." Former Republican Congressman Peter Meijer commented on X that the Democratic Party would not distance itself from Chevalier as the Republican Party did from Duke during his 1991 gubernatorial run.
Despite the controversy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries congratulated Chevalier on her primary victory via social media. New York's 13th Congressional District is a heavily Democratic area, making Chevalier a likely victor in the upcoming general election.
Duke has previously expressed support for other Democratic politicians, often citing shared criticism of Israel. He has also made anti-Semitic remarks, calling Jews "a blight" and stating they should "go into the ashcan of history." Duke also praised Mayor Mamdani, calling his critical views on Israel important and suggesting that a "tiny minority of America… the oligarchs of the Jewish people" control U.S. foreign policy.
The situation highlights a potential political vulnerability for progressive Democrats, particularly concerning allegations of antisemitism within their ranks. Duke's commendation of Chevalier and his past support for other Democrats who have faced similar accusations provide critics from both parties with an avenue to challenge the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
The Chevalier campaign did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.