Recent Democratic primary victories in New York, including those of Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Brad Lander, have prompted strong reactions from some voters, as reflected in letters to the editor.
Concerns have been raised about the perceived ideological leanings of the winning candidates, with some characterizing them as "communists" and "far-left leaning members." One letter expressed disgust with what the writer called "a rabid antisemitic mayor and a slate of similar bigots running for office," referring to Valdez, Chevalier, and Lander.
Questions have also surfaced regarding the candidates' ability to uphold their oaths of office. One reader noted that Darializa Avila Chevalier's "policy positions and social media posts" suggest she "loathes this country." The letter questioned how she could "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" and "take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion." The writer suggested that The Post should ask Chevalier and "her fellow DSA members" this question.
Another correspondent criticized Chevalier directly, stating it is "wrong for Chevalier to be a congresswoman when she has terrible disrespect toward the American flag." The letter claimed Chevalier said she would "use our flag to wipe herself," adding that "men and women fought and died for that flag." The writer, who served in the U.S. Navy, stated they "won’t condone an ignoramus like Chevalier continuing her attacks on our nation."
Some writers linked the primary results to broader issues of voter turnout and perceived "indoctrination." One letter attributed the wins to "low voter turnout and indoctrinated Gen Z slackers," urging New Yorkers to "stop with identity politics and get common-sense candidates to run against these horrible choices." Another suggested that "Mamdani’s forces came out in large numbers and left their mark," attributing this to "pampered progressives" who were "indoctrinated" at "top-notch universities." The same letter pointed to Chevalier as a "defiant participant" in "Columbia University demonstrations," identifying "lefty faculties inculcating ideologies in the minds of young adults" as the root problem.
Concerns about antisemitism were also prominent. One letter stated that a candidate "hates all Jews" and questioned how another, referred to as "Lander," could "cozy up to people that not only hate Israelis, who are fighting for their lives against Middle Eastern terror groups, but hate all Jews." This writer concluded there is a "special place in hell for him."
Conversely, one letter suggested that electing Bruce Blakeman as governor is the "only hope left for NYC and perhaps the entire state population" to "rein in the evil that looms among the Democrats and their far-left leaning members." The writer also expressed concern that a win for Gov. Hochul "may fuel a bad future for the entire country, with California leaning in the same direction."
Another perspective argued that the "victory of communist ideology in New York’s primary should sound a very loud klaxon all over the world." This letter criticized "Always anxious Jeffries and ponderous Schumer" as "unfit for the trials their party now faces" and questioned who would "marshal common sense, gather normal Dems and cast the crazies out."