Darializa Avila Chevalier, the socialist candidate backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), abruptly ended a live radio interview Tuesday after hosts pressed her about controversial social media posts, then hours later won her primary against incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District.
Avila Chevalier defeated Espaillat, who has represented the district since 2017 and chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a major upset that ousted a five-term Democrat from a heavily blue-leaning seat covering parts of Manhattan and the Bronx.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters have pointed to Avila Chevalier's policy platform as the focus of her campaign, arguing that scrutiny over old social media posts distracts from current issues facing residents. Her campaign has emphasized positions on housing, healthcare, and economic justice that resonate with Democratic Socialist voters in the district.
During debates and interviews, Avila Chevalier has acknowledged and apologized for some past rhetoric while arguing she has evolved on certain issues. She has framed criticism of her old posts as part of a broader effort to undermine her candidacy rather than legitimate policy scrutiny.
Supporters note that many of her controversial comments were made before current political calculations around policing and immigration became standard Democratic Party positions, suggesting her views reflect a consistent progressive worldview rather than recent opportunism.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics have highlighted Avila Chevalier's past remarks criticizing Democratic leaders, calling for abolishing police and prisons, opposing deportations, and making inflammatory comments about U.S. institutions and foreign policy as disqualifying for a general election candidate in what will likely be a safely Democratic seat.
Her remarks about Dominican nationalism have drawn particular backlash in the heavily Dominican-American district she seeks to represent. Posts indicating she did not display the Dominican flag on her social media because she viewed nationalism as 'violent' have prompted questions from voters about her views on Dominican identity and culture, which remains central to the district's political identity.
Republicans have noted that despite winning the primary, Avila Chevalier's past statements could complicate governance in a diverse district where constituents hold varied perspectives on national identity and cultural heritage.
What the Numbers Show
Espaillat has represented NY-13 since 2017, winning his last election with approximately 72% of the vote in 2024. The district covers portions of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, with a population that is roughly 54% Hispanic/Latino and over 60% Democratic-leaning based on recent voting patterns.
Avila Chevalier's margin of victory has not yet been officially certified as of publication time. She will face no major Republican opposition in November, making her virtually certain to win the general election and become the next representative from NY-13.
Early turnout figures indicated high engagement among Democratic primary voters, with some precincts reporting increases compared to previous midterm primaries, suggesting significant voter interest in the race between the incumbent and his progressive challenger.
The Bottom Line
Avila Chevalier's victory marks a significant shift in one of New York's most reliably Democratic districts and represents another win for DSA-backed candidates in urban congressional races. Her success despite controversy over past social media activity raises questions about how much weight voters place on historical statements versus current policy positions.
The incident during the radio interview, where Avila Chevalier told hosts 'I am not going to sit here and be yelled at by various people' before removing her headphones and leaving the studio, has become a focal point for opponents who argue it demonstrates difficulty handling media scrutiny. Her campaign will likely face continued questions about her past statements as she prepares for the general election.