Progressive Challenge to Veteran Democrat in New York Highlights Party Divisions
A congressional primary debate in New York's 13th District showcased the ideological rifts within the Democratic Party, as progressive candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier faced off against incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
A recent congressional primary debate in New York's 13th District brought to light the generational and ideological divides within the Democratic Party. During the debate, Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, who is backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressed regret for her earlier disparaging remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris, which she had made on social media. This exchange occurred in a heated discussion with the incumbent, Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Avila Chevalier, 32, publicly apologized to Harris, stating, "To Vice President Kamala Harris, I sincerely apologize. You did not deserve that language from me. And I would’ve loved to have seen a Black woman president. As a Black woman, I know how much that would’ve meant to so many, including myself." Previously, Avila Chevalier had made critical comments on Twitter, including a post that read, "F**k Kamala Harris" following Harris’s remarks to Guatemalan migrants in September 2021 about not coming to the United States illegally.
In response to her apology, Espaillat, who is 71 and has represented the 13th District since 2017, dismissed her defense by stating, "This is not just some common statement that was made when you were a young person, a teenager, an adolescent. This was just a couple of years ago. And I think it’s irresponsible for someone that has a chronically irresponsible social media to go to Congress. Words really matter."
Avila Chevalier countered that she had voted for Harris in 2024 and criticized the modern Democratic Party, asserting, "Yes, I was critical of Kamala Harris’ record. And I voted for her because like so many Black and brown people, I am someone who has been forced to save the Democratic Party from itself." She emphasized the need for representatives who truly listen to their constituents, contrasting her vision with that of Espaillat.
The debate illustrated the ideological and generational rifts that have characterized the race in this Democratic stronghold, which encompasses parts of Manhattan and the Bronx. Avila Chevalier, who works as an investigator at a public defender’s office and is a doctoral student, has emerged as a prominent left-wing challenger, particularly after receiving Mamdani's endorsement.
However, her past social media activity has come under scrutiny, including a CNN KFile report detailing her now-deleted Twitter account that featured thousands of posts advocating for the abolition of police, prisons, and borders, as well as calls for nationalization of major industries and questioning Israel's right to exist. Avila Chevalier has maintained that these posts do not reflect her current views and faced several challenges from Espaillat during the debate regarding this issue.
Espaillat also highlighted the differences in their stances on Israel, stating, "The difference between me and my opponent is that I believe in a two-state solution and she doesn’t believe in the existence of Israel." He criticized Avila Chevalier for attending a pro-Palestinian rally the day after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and over 250 hostages. This rally was condemned by many political leaders, including Brad Lander, a fellow Mamdani-endorsed candidate, who canceled his membership with the Democratic Socialists of America in response to the rally's promotion.
Avila Chevalier defended her attendance at the rally by stating, "I would never celebrate the death of any human being," and explained that her intention was to protest against what she perceived as an excessive response to Hamas's attack, fearing that it would lead to significant loss of life in Gaza. She drew parallels between the violence experienced by Palestinians and the violence faced by Black and Latino communities in the U.S., stating, "The tear gas that was being dropped on Palestinians in Gaza in 2014 was the same tear gas that was being dropped on Black protesters in Ferguson in 2014."
Following the debate, Natalia Latif, Avila Chevalier's media director, emphasized that the candidate has taken responsibility for her past remarks. Latif remarked, "She said plainly, ‘I deeply regret my tweets,’ took ownership, and pivoted to what actually matters: that this district deserves a representative who will fight for affordable housing, fight to abolish ICE, and fight to make sure our tax dollars come back to our communities instead of being spent on forever wars."
The primary race in New York's 13th District has become a significant battleground reflecting the tensions between the Democratic establishment and the burgeoning democratic socialist faction, with Mamdani actively supporting progressive challengers. At a press conference earlier this month, Mamdani stated that he had not been aware of Avila Chevalier's social media posts when he endorsed her, adding that he believes her views have evolved since then.
Mamdani's endorsement of Avila Chevalier marks a critical moment as he applies his political influence in New York's electoral landscape, having also endorsed Lander in his race against incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman and state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District primary. Nevertheless, Mamdani has also attempted to support the Democratic establishment, dissuading Chi Ossé, a New York City Council member, from challenging House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a primary, which led to Ossé withdrawing his candidacy.
As the primary election approaches on Tuesday, it will serve as a significant test of Mamdani's endorsement and the direction of the Democratic Party in New York, as voters decide whether Avila Chevalier and other progressive candidates will advance to the general election.
