Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old political newcomer and pro-Palestinian doctoral student, won the Democratic primary in New York's 13th congressional district on Tuesday, defeating five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat with more than 49% of the vote. The victory marks a significant upset in a race where Super PACs opposing her spent millions on negative ads, and false accusations questioned her Dominican ethnicity.
Victory Speech and Campaign Promises
In her victory speech at a Puerto Rican restaurant in Upper Manhattan, Avila Chevalier declared the result "a new dawn" for the district. "I have faith in the future that I know we are stepping into today," she said. "No longer will we accept the politics that throw scraps at us and act like we should be grateful for them." If she wins the general election in November, she will become the first Dominican woman elected to Congress.
Mamdani and DSA Backing
Avila Chevalier's win cements the role of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a kingmaker for the left and highlights the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). All three congressional candidates backed by Mamdani won their primaries, as did nine out of ten DSA-endorsed candidates. Mamdani, who initially pledged to support Espaillat before switching to Avila Chevalier, faced criticism but praised her as "someone of clarity, of conscience and of conviction."
Background and Platform
Avila Chevalier, the daughter of working-class Dominican immigrants, grew up in Florida and moved to New York to attend Columbia University, where she organized against sexual violence and in support of Palestine and Black students. She was recruited by Justice Democrats, the group that backed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018. Her platform includes universal healthcare, stronger renter protections, abolishing ICE, banning large PACs, and the signature pledge "babies, not bombs."
Challenging the Incumbent
Avila Chevalier accused Espaillat of achieving little for the district and being beholden to wealthy donors, including AIPAC, which poured $650,000 into a Super PAC opposing her. She criticized his response to Israel's war in Gaza and his failure to support Palestinian Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE for three months. Espaillat, a former undocumented immigrant and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, questioned her lack of experience, saying, "Getting results in Congress is not a PhD program."
Racist Attacks and Defense
Avila Chevalier, who is Afro Latina and converted to Islam, faced racist and Islamophobic attacks, including false claims that she is Haitian—an attempt to stoke anti-Haitian sentiment. She addressed these attacks in a video, stating, "I'm proud to be part of a generation of Dominicans and New Yorkers who reject racism and divisive politics." Espaillat and other officials condemned the attacks.
Progressive Support
Representative Ilhan Omar congratulated Avila Chevalier, calling her "a principled leader." Pennsylvania's Chriss Rabb and New Jersey's Adam Hamawy also praised her win. Hamawy said, "So thrilled that we have proven once more that there is no such thing as progressive except for Palestine." Avila Chevalier's campaign focused on investing in life, funding schools, housing, and social safety nets, arguing that the district has not improved under Espaillat's nine years in office.
