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Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ignited a significant rift within the Democratic Party by throwing his support behind a socialist candidate aiming to unseat the current Representative Adriano Espaillat, insiders revealed on Monday.
Mamdani’s endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America, for the upcoming June 23 primary in the northern Manhattan/Bronx 13th House District, reflects a strategic move by him and other socialists to gradually gain dominance within the Democratic Party, according to sources.
Campaign consultant Evan Roth Smith remarked, “In New York City, it’s essentially a civil war within the Democratic Party.”
By supporting Chevalier in her challenge against the seasoned Espaillat for the party’s nomination, Mamdani and the DSA are testing the waters for expanding their sway in the city, Roth Smith explained.
“The 13th District serves as an initial trial to gauge the extent of Mamdani’s appeal,” Roth Smith added.
Even state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs took a shot at Mamdani for turning on Espaillat, a five-term incumbent.
“I think it’s a mistake. When you have a good incumbent, stick with him,” Jacobs said.
“Espaillat is an excellent congressman,” he said. “I’ve heard from a lot people in the Hispanic community and in general who are upset about him going against Espaillat.”
The seat is overwhelmingly comprised of Hispanic, Latino and black residents and is not considered a DSA stronghold — unlike the “Commie Corridor” in the 7th and 10th Districts, which are also the sites of heated Democratic primary races.
But younger voters who support Mamdani and may be more receptive to backing his insurgent candidate have been moving into the 13th District.
Mamdani bested Andrew Cuomo in both the mayoral Democratic primary and general election in the 13th District. — even though Espaillat endorsed the former governor in the primary. Espaillat switched to Mamdani after the mayor won the nomination.
The mayor is also supporting fellow DSA member Assemblywoman Claire Valdez for an open seat in the 7th District covering the waterfront neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, considered a DSA stronghold.
Outgoing longtime Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who is retiring, has endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso against Valdez in the primary.
Former City Comptroller Brad Lander has also gotten Mamdani’s nod over incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the DSA-friendly 10th District covering brownstone Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
“He’s going to be mayor for four years and maybe eight. They believe in the long game,” Roth Smith said, referring to the far-left group.
Smith noted that Mamdani didn’t get all of the tax hikes he wanted from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature in this year’s budget negotiations — and wants more representatives in Albany and Congress who are on “his team.”
But Jacobs said Mamdani was not being a team player by messing with the New York congressional delegation.
“We should not be fomenting dissent in the primaries when we have so much at stake in the general election,” Jacobs said.
“It’s an effort by Mamdani to flex his muscles in the city,” he said.
“We’ll see how that turns out.”