Full Breakdown
Darializa Avila Chevalier Upsets Incumbent in New York’s 13th Democratic Primary
6/29/2026, 8:22:37 PM
Core Event: Primary Victory and Endorsements
On June 25 2026, 32-year-old sociology PhD candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier won the Democratic nomination for New York’s 13th Congressional District, defeating five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Her victory was secured with the endorsement of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who backed three progressive challengers that night.
Background & Context: Activism, Social-Media History, and District Demographics
Avila Chevalier’s political résumé includes organizing with Students for Justice in Palestine, leading pro-Palestinian protests after the Oct. 7 2023 Hamas attack, and campaigning alongside Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil. A 2020-2022 Twitter account (“Darializabonet”) posted repeated references to Marx, Lenin, and slogans such as “seize the means of production,” as well as calls to abolish police, prisons and borders. The account was deleted in June 2022; a new campaign account launched in Nov 2025. The 13th district spans upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, is majority Dominican and half Hispanic, and has an unusually young electorate—about one-third are aged 20-39.
Key Figures & Groups
- Darializa Avila Chevalier – candidate, Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member.
- Zohran Mamdani – NYC mayor, primary backer.
- Adriano Espaillat – incumbent defeated.
- Josh Shapiro – Pennsylvania governor, Democratic critic.
- Mahmoud Khalil – pro-Palestinian activist, campaign volunteer.
- Conservative media – Fox News, Trump-aligned outlets, highlighting past tweets.
Data & Statistics: Campaign Spending and District Profile
The primary attracted roughly $9.5 million in total spending; Espaillat alone expended more than $7 million. The district’s electorate is 50 % Hispanic, with Dominicans the largest single group, and a significant influx of college-educated young professionals.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Shapiro said he has “profound differences” with Avila Chevalier and does not share her views, yet acknowledged she won on the Democratic ticket. Mayor Mamdani praised her focus on affordability and reiterated the city’s commitment to closing Rikers Island and reforming the criminal-justice system. Avila Chevalier declined to react to President Trump’s accusation of communism, stating she “won’t be reactive.” Snopes confirmed the authenticity of her 2019 flag-wiping tweet; she later expressed regret, saying the post reflected anger over community neglect.
Criticism & Opposition
President Trump labeled her a communist. Critics pointed to archived tweets praising Marxist ideology, advocating abolition of police, prisons and borders, and the flag-wiping post. Opponents also questioned her Dominican heritage after she defended Haitian migrants, noting she omitted a Dominican flag from her social-media bio. Conservative outlets used these posts to attack the DSA and broader progressive agenda.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She’s not someone who seemingly I would agree with on many things or that we share similar values,” — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
- “The Mayor is fully committed to closing Rikers Island, replacing it with a smaller, safer, and more humane borough-based jail system that better serves people in custody, correction officers, and all New Yorkers, and building a criminal justice system that is fairer and improves public safety across the five boroughs,” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (spokesperson)
- “And I believe this is part of the ‘what’s next,’ which is converting the public support into real political power, whether on the local level or on the federal level.” — Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia graduate student and activist
Why It Matters: Intra-Party Tensions and Midterm Outlook
Avila Chevalier’s win signals the growing electoral clout of democratic socialists, challenging establishment Democrats and prompting internal debates over policy priorities such as affordable housing, criminal-justice reform, and U.S. stance on Israel-Palestine. The episode also highlights heightened scrutiny of candidates’ digital histories, a factor that could shape voter attitudes in the 2026 midterms.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Snopes verified the flag tweet, though early coverage questioned its authenticity. No other substantive factual disputes have emerged, and detailed vote-share data for the primary remain unavailable.
