Share and Follow
On Thursday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his backing for a far-left contender known for her critical stance on Israel. This candidate, with radical viewpoints, is challenging five-term incumbent House Representative Adriano Espaillat.
Mamdani announced his support for the outspoken Darializa Avila Chevalier in the increasingly competitive Democratic primary, which includes areas of upper Manhattan and the Bronx. He praised her as a congressional candidate who has “devoted her life to advocating for individuals often neglected by the government.”
“She has played a role in liberating neighbors unjustly detained by ICE and consistently champions a political agenda centered on affordability, dignity, and community,” Mamdani stated about the candidate endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
“Her campaign is fueled by working-class individuals eager to dismiss the influence of big money politics and demand significant change. Let’s go win this,” he added.
The endorsement for Chevalier, a 32-year-old who previously worked on Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, was revealed during an appearance on MS NOW, with both Mamdani and Chevalier present together.
Mamdani has backed other congressional candidates ahead of the June primary, including former city Comptroller Brad Lander over House Rep. Dan Goldman and state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“Last year, @ZohranMamdani showed the entire country that people power can beat a machine,” Chevalier tweeted. “I’m thrilled to have his support!”
Espaillat, 71, who was first sworn into office in 2017, brushed off Mamdani’s endorsement and boasted about the top elected officials supporting him like Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn.)
“Mayor Mamdani is entitled to support the candidate of his choice,” he said in a statement. “But one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do.”
Chevalier, an ardent critic of Israel, has a host of far-left positions, including committing to abolishing prisons, and legalizing prostitution and the private use of all drugs, according to her DSA candidate questionnaire.
She also wants to abolish ICE and stop sending military support to Israel.
She also has a controversial social media history.
“I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me,” she posted online in 2019 along with a smiling face emoji in a now-deleted tweet.
The Post has sought comment from the campaign.
She slammed men of color for engaging in interracial relationships with white women and once talked about slamming the door on an “old white lady” in 2019 posts.
District 13 where the incumbent and challenger is vying to represent encompasses Harlem, Washington Heights and parts of the Bronx.