Socialist community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier has defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the primary election for New York's 13th Congressional District. Chevalier, who previously made controversial statements including calling the United States "a f-----g disgrace" and advocating for the abolition of borders, prisons, and police, secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday.
Chevalier, 32, positioned herself to the left of established progressive figures and has faced scrutiny for past online posts. In now-deleted statements from 2018 to 2022, she reportedly expressed views on nationalizing large sectors of the private economy, the abolition of borders and law enforcement, and opposed the deportation of individuals who have committed crimes.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Chevalier in May and defended his support, stating that her views have evolved and that her current campaign reflects her priorities. "When it comes to Darializa's campaign, I had not seen those tweets and what I've heard from her and what I know a lot of others in the district that have heard from her is that her views have evolved and that the campaign she is running on is reflective of what she's going to be fighting for," Mamdani said.
Mamdani highlighted Chevalier's record on issues such as advocating for detained New Yorkers and supporting working individuals. He also noted that the district encompasses communities that have expressed concerns about displacement. Chevalier, who studied at Columbia University, was also associated with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which reportedly posted "Death to America" on social media.
During a debate with Espaillat, Chevalier reiterated her stance that no undocumented immigrants should be deported, even if they have committed violent offenses and served time. Espaillat, who immigrated to the U.S. and later became a naturalized citizen, has represented the district, which includes parts of Upper Manhattan and the West Bronx, since 2017.
With her victory in the Democratic primary, Chevalier is now heavily favored to win the general election in November, as the 13th Congressional District has historically not elected a Republican representative. The race was characterized as a significant contest reflecting the evolving political landscape within the Democratic Party.