Story perspectives

DSA Rookie Avila Chevalier Upsets Espaillat, Eyes Historic Seat

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the June 24 primary for New York’s 13th District.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement helped Democratic Socialist activist unseat chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old Ph.D. student and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member, could be the first Dominican woman elected to Congress.
House Democratic leaders said the loss will not change the party’s push for a 218-seat majority.

History

Historical Context

After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 57% primary win over ten-term incumbent Joe Crowley on June 26 2018—an upset that proved grassroots, DSA-backed campaigns could topple entrenched Democrats—NYC-DSA endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 2026 Democratic primary by 3.5 points, extending the socialist surge in New York. The win built on the post-2016 DSA expansion sparked by Bernie Sanders and signaled a growing Dominican and socialist presence in Congress.

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Story summary

Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the June 24 primary for New York’s 13th District.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement helped Democratic Socialist activist unseat chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old Ph.D. student and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member, could be the first Dominican woman elected to Congress.
House Democratic leaders said the loss will not change the party’s push for a 218-seat majority.

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