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2w ago

Mamdani Endorses DSA Challenger Avila Chevalier in Tight NY-13 Democratic Primary

The mayor’s Thursday endorsement raises the profile of a close June primary and signals a push to expand DSA influence in New York’s congressional delegation.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces his endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier, right, during an appearance on MS NOW's "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," May 28, 2026. (Screenshot)
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Overview

  • Zohran Mamdani publicly endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier on Thursday in a joint MS NOW appearance, making the June 23 Democratic primary in NY-13 a high-profile test of the party’s left flank.
  • Incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat retains major institutional backing from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and his allies have pledged roughly $1.35 million in outside spending to defend his seat.
  • Avila Chevalier is backed by Justice Democrats, which has paid for about $250,000 in ads, and her campaign gained momentum after outraising Espaillat in one quarter earlier this year.
  • Recent reporting has surfaced archived and deleted social-media posts attributed to Avila Chevalier that criticized Joe Biden and highlighted her pro-Palestinian activism, drawing intensified scrutiny of her record as the race heats up.
  • Mamdani’s endorsement completes a small DSA-backed slate and could reshape local power if challengers win, with early voting beginning June 13 and the primary deciding whether the city’s progressive insurgency expands its influence in Congress.