Full Breakdown
New York’s 13th District Democratic Primary: A Deep-Dive into the Espaillat-Chevalier Contest
6/18/2026, 6:54:29 AM
The Core Contest
Incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) faces a vigorous primary challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old doctoral candidate and community organizer backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America. The race pits a five-term, Dominican-American congressman against a far-left insurgent whose platform includes abolishing ICE, a Green New Deal, and a radical critique of Israel.
Background & Context
The 13th District covers upper Manhattan neighborhoods—Morningside Heights, Harlem, Washington Heights, East Harlem—and parts of the Bronx. Historically a Democratic stronghold, the district has become a flashpoint for intra-party battles over Israel, public safety, and immigration. Mayor Mamdani’s endorsement of Chevalier reflects his broader effort to reshape New York politics with progressive candidates.
Candidate Profiles & Platforms
- Adriano Espaillat: 71, five-term incumbent, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, backs deportation of undocumented immigrants convicted of the most heinous crimes, and emphasizes collaboration with the NYPD.
- Darializa Avila Chevalier: Public-defender office investigator, doctoral student, and 14-year community organizer. Calls for ending ICE, “preventive” crime-reduction strategies (affordable housing, after-school programs, opioid treatment), and a Green New Deal. She opposes deporting any undocumented immigrant, even those convicted of violent offenses, and questions Israel’s right to exist, labeling its policies “apartheid.”
Polling & Campaign Finance
Recent polling shows Espaillat leading by roughly eight points (35 % to 27 %). A separate internal poll gave Chevalier a narrow 39 %–35 % edge, with 22 % undecided. Voter indecision remains high—about 38 % of Democrats are still uncommitted. Financially, Espaillat holds $963 k cash on hand versus Chevalier’s $230 k. Espaillat has received $140 k from pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC; Chevalier benefits from Super-PAC support tied to Mamdani’s progressive network.
Debate Highlights & Public Apologies
During a televised NY1 debate, Chevalier apologized for a 2021 tweet that cursed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “I deeply regret my tweets.” She later added, “I sincerely apologize because you did not deserve that language.” Espaillat seized on the controversy, labeling her social-media history “chronically irresponsible” and questioning her suitability for Congress.
Policy Divergences
- Israel/Palestine: Espaillat affirms Israel’s existence and a two-state solution; Chevalier has been accused of attending an Oct. 8, 2023 rally that “celebrated” deaths, which she denies, saying she protested an “outsized reaction.”
- Public Safety: Espaillon touts cooperation with the police commissioner; Chevalier argues crime reduction requires poverty alleviation and opposes “militarized police,” though she later clarified she does not seek to eliminate police overnight.
- Immigration: Espaillat supports deporting illegal residents convicted of the most serious crimes; Chevalier opposes any deportation of undocumented immigrants, regardless of conviction.
Official Statements & Responses
Espaillat emphasized his long-standing presence in the district, stating, “I have been in the neighborhood all along during our most difficult times.” He asserted that campaign contributions do not dictate his votes. Mamdani, when asked about Chevalier’s past posts, said he had not seen them before endorsing her and believes her views have “evolved.” Chevalier’s media director, Natalia Latif, highlighted the candidate’s shift toward “affordable housing, abolishing ICE, and ending forever wars.”
Criticism & Opposition
Critics, including the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, label Chevalier’s platform “extremist,” warning that policies such as abolishing police and ICE would harm communities of color. Espaillat’s supporters point to his record on public safety and his opposition to what they describe as anti-Israel rhetoric.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Chevalier’s exact stance toward Israel: Espaillat claims she “doesn’t believe in the existence of Israel,” while Chevalier maintains she was present to protest an “outsized reaction” and does not celebrate any deaths. Polls also vary, with one showing Chevalier ahead among white voters (35 % vs 25 %) but trailing among Black (21 % vs 36 %) and Latino (30 % vs 42 %) constituents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I deeply regret my tweets,” — Darializa Avila Chevalier, candidate
- “To Vice President Kamala Harris, I sincerely apologize because you did not deserve that language,” — Darializa Avila Chevalier, candidate
- “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.” — Rep. Adriano Espaillat
- “I have been in the neighborhood all along during our most difficult times,” — Rep. Adriano Espaillat
- “And I would have loved to have seen a Black woman president.” — Darializa Avila Chevalier
- “He is someone who has taken over $670,000 from AIPAC, all while voting to send our tax dollars to a country that is enacting a genocide,” — Darializa Avila Chevalier
What’s Next
Early voting runs through June 21, with the primary slated for June 23. Both campaigns are intensifying outreach, and national figures—including Sen. Bernie Sanders—are expected to appear at rallies, making the race a bellwether for the Democratic Party’s ideological direction.
