Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier will win the Democratic primary in New York’s 13th Congressional District, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, defeating incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Chevalier was endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, part of a wave of left-wing primary challengers aiming to topple Democrats they see as too establishment-friendly. The race marked one of the first tests of the democratic socialist mayor’s political influence, and one where he was willing to break with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who threw his support behind Espaillat.
Her upset bid nearly foundered, however, amid controversial revelations from CNN’s KFile about deleted social media posts disparaging Democratic leadership, expressing support for abolishing police, prisons and borders, and calling into question Israel’s right to exist.
Her attendance at a Pro-Palestinian rally the day after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks also drew scrutiny.
The contest encapsulated divides between the Democratic old guard and a new class of progressive challengers, animated by clashes over campaign strategy, affordability policies and US relations with Israel.
Chevalier, a 32-year-old investigator at a public defender’s office and doctoral student, advances to the general election as the favorite to win the seat covering upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.
