Full Breakdown
New York's 13th District Primary: Debate Highlights Ideological Rift and Funding Scrutiny
6/18/2026, 11:55:04 AM
Debate Highlights
On Tuesday night, incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat and challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier debated on NY1. The discussion focused on Chevalier’s deleted X posts targeting Vice President Kamala Harris, her presence at an Oct. 8, 2023 pro-Palestinian rally, and stark policy divergences on Israel, immigration, policing and climate.
Race Overview
The 13th District spans upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Five-term Democrat Espaillat, a Dominican-born former undocumented immigrant, represents the party establishment. Chevalier, a 32-year-old democratic socialist, CUNY doctoral student and community organizer, is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the NYC Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats.
Funding, Polls, and Discrepancies
Espaillat’s filing shows $140,000 in AIPAC-linked contributions, though other reports list $670,000; he also received $112,000 from 69 out-of-district donors. Chevalier’s campaign benefits from roughly $1.3 million in super-PAC support from Justice Democrats and American Priorities. A poll released by a pro-Espaillat group puts the incumbent at 35% versus Chevalier’s 27%, with 38% undecided.
Policy Clash
Espaillat affirms Israel’s right to exist and backs a two-state solution; Chevalier questions Israel’s legitimacy and calls its Gaza actions “genocide.” On immigration, Chevalier opposes all deportations, while Espaillat supports deporting illegal residents convicted of crimes. Chevalier proposes shifting police funds to preventive social programs; Espaillat stresses cooperation with the police commissioner. Both endorse a grocery store, but Chevalier pushes a Green New Deal for public housing and federal transit to address climate-related health gaps.
Official Statements
Chevalier said she “deeply regrets” the tweets and apologizes to Harris, while emphasizing her support for a Black woman president. Espaillat reiterated his pro-Israel stance, framed Chevalier’s rally attendance as celebrating civilian deaths, and defended his record on public safety. Mayor Mamdani noted he had not seen the controversial posts before endorsing Chevalier and believes her views have evolved.
Criticism & Opposition
Espaillat accused Chevalier of celebrating deaths at the Oct. 8 rally and of “chronically irresponsible” social-media conduct. Chevalier countered that Espaillat’s AIPAC funding amounts to money that funds genocide and questioned his handling of ICE detentions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To Vice-President Kamala Harris, I sincerely apologize because you did not deserve that language from me, and I would have loved to see a Black woman president.” — Darializa Avila Chevalier, candidate
- “I would never celebrate the death of any human being,” — Darializa Avila Chevalier, candidate
- “The difference between me and my opponent is that I believe in a two-state solution and she doesn’t believe in the existence of Israel.” — Adriano Espaillat, incumbent
- “I have been in the neighborhood all along during our most difficult times,” — Adriano Espaillat, incumbent
What’s Next
Early voting began nine days before the June 23 primary, when New York voters will decide whether the district remains under Espaillat’s incumbency or shifts to Chevalier’s progressive platform.
