A democratic socialist candidate, Darializa Avila Chevalier, has won her New York City primary, sparking concerns over her past associations and statements. Avila Chevalier, 32, defeated a five-term incumbent, Adriano Espaillat, 71, in the Democratic primary for NY-13 on June 23. She is a member of the NYC Democratic Socialists of America and has been endorsed by several organizations.
Avila Chevalier has been linked to an organization that openly calls for the destruction of Western civilization. As a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), she helped design the organization's logo and promote its BDS campaign. CUAD has described itself as "Westerners fighting for the total eradication of Western civilization," a statement that has not been publicly retracted.
CUAD has been involved in several controversies, including submitting a divestment proposal to Columbia University in 2023. The proposal demanded that the university withdraw financial support from Israel and divest from companies allegedly complicit in Israeli "genocide," "war crimes," and "apartheid." The proposal was broad enough to encompass several major companies.
Avila Chevalier has also been linked to other controversies, including her support for Rasmea Odeh, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Odeh was convicted of immigration fraud in 2014 and deported to Jordan in 2017. Avila Chevalier has also made statements calling for the abolition of police, prisons, and borders.
The win by Avila Chevalier is seen as part of a larger movement of ultra-liberal, socialist, and Islamist-aligned politicians in New York. Two other candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani also won their primaries on the same night. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) also picked up several seats in the New York state legislature.
The DSA's growing influence in New York City and its entry into Congress in force has raised concerns about the party's direction. Avila Chevalier's win, along with the wins of other DSA-backed candidates, is likely to have significant implications for the Democratic Party.
The rise of the DSA and its allies has been marked by controversy and criticism. Some have expressed concerns about the organization's ties to radical groups and its stance on issues such as Israel and Palestine. The DSA's growing influence is likely to continue to be a topic of debate in the coming months.
