Overview
- The Democratic primary in New York’s 13th District comes to a head Tuesday as turnout will determine whether Darializa Avila Chevalier can unseat five‑term Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly backed a DSA‑aligned slate that includes Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander, and Claire Valdez as part of a push to expand progressive influence beyond City Hall.
- Avila Chevalier has taken a firm stance against all deportations and called for dismantling ICE, and campaign critics have highlighted a trove of since‑deleted social posts attributed to her.
- Espaillat has drawn heavy establishment support from figures such as House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Gov. Kathy Hochul, and both sides have attracted large outside spending and national surrogates.
- The outcome will shape local policy debates on immigration and policing and signal whether DSA‑style insurgents can win in immigrant‑heavy districts or whether the party establishment will hold sway.