New York’s 13th Congressional District experienced a notable political shift as a 32‑year‑old community organizer unseated a five‑term Democratic incumbent.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Columbia University graduate, has a long history of activism and was involved with left‑leaning campus organizations.
Her campaign received endorsement from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and she secured the Democratic nomination amid a growing progressive electorate in the district.
Avila Chevalier’s public record includes calls for the abolition of borders, prisons and police, as well as proposals to nationalize portions of the private sector, expressed in social‑media posts dating from 2018 to 2022.
She has also described the United States in harsh terms, criticized former President Joe Biden, and used profanity toward several political figures in past online statements.
During a debate with incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, she reiterated opposition to deportations, even for individuals convicted of violent crimes.
She has previously made controversial remarks about racial and gender topics, including comments about white women and about Black and Arab men.
Mayor Mamdani defended his endorsement, stating that Avila Chevalier’s views have evolved and that her platform focuses on protecting undocumented residents and working‑class constituents.
The 13th District covers Upper Manhattan and part of the West Bronx, a region that has never elected a Republican to Congress.
With the Democratic nomination secured, Avila Chevalier is widely expected to win the November general election.
