Hasan Piker, a political commentator and Twitch streamer with a large online following, threw his support behind two left-leaning candidates running for Congress in New York City on Thursday, arguing their potential victories would bring the country closer to socialism. Piker spoke at a Brooklyn rally for candidates endorsed by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America ahead of the state's June 23 primary election.
The DSA-backed slate includes State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who is running for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez in districts spanning Queens and Brooklyn, and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in a district covering Upper Manhattan and the West Bronx. Both candidates are socialists who have called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, raising taxes on the wealthy, and advancing the Palestinian cause in Congress.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics have pointed to controversial statements made by both Piker and Avila Chevalier as evidence of extreme views among the supported candidates. Avila Chevalier has faced scrutiny over since-deleted social media posts, including assertions that 'Israel doesn’t exist,' support for open borders, and claims that 'all deportation is wrong.' She also called former President Joe Biden 'a rapist' and wrote expletives directed at then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021.
Piker himself has faced widespread backlash over previous comments stating that 'America deserved 9/11' and describing Hamas as 'a thousand times better' than Israel. Conservative commentators have argued that endorsements from figures with such histories normalize extreme viewpoints in mainstream Democratic politics.
What the Left Is Saying
Speaking at the rally, Piker told attendees that recent political developments represent an unprecedented opportunity for socialist politics in America. 'For the longest time, I thought we were so far away from socialism, and we might still be far away from socialism, but we do have an opportunity right here right now, more than ever before,' Piker said. He urged supporters to capitalize on this moment through continued organizing efforts.
Piker praised both candidates as significant figures in the socialist movement. 'I've rarely ever seen such tremendous ideological representation at such an important level,' he said, referring to Valdez and Avila Chevalier. 'I mean, a congressional seat is a tremendous amount of power.' He predicted that successful socialist candidacies would soon dwarf the significance of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's victory in last year's NYC mayoral race.
Valdez expressed solidarity with her fellow candidate at the event. '[It’s the] honor of my life to be on a slate with her, with so many of my other socialist comrades,' she said. The candidates are also backed by Justice Democrats, the progressive group that helped launch Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's insurgent campaign in 2018.
What the Numbers Show
Both primary races are taking place in heavily Democratic districts that historically elect members of the Democratic Party. Valdez is running for a seat representing progressive bastions in Queens and Brooklyn, while Avila Chevalier is challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who serves as chairman of the influential Congressional Hispanic Caucus. If either candidate wins their contested primaries, they would likely join the far-left faction of the House Democratic caucus.
The June 23 primary date places these races within a standard electoral calendar for New York state elections. Justice Democrats, which backed Thursday's candidates, previously helped elect Ocasio-Cortez in 2018 as part of a wave of progressive primary challenges to more moderate incumbents.
The Bottom Line
Piker's endorsement represents an increasing convergence between internet political personalities and formal electoral politics. Both Valdez and Avila Chevalier are running in districts that would almost certainly send Democrats to Congress regardless of the primary winner, meaning their ideological positions will carry significant weight in shaping party messaging on immigration, taxation, and foreign policy if elected.
The outcome of these races could expand the progressive wing's numerical presence in Congress, though it remains to be seen whether such victories translate into expanded legislative influence. Voters in both districts will decide between the candidates on June 23.