Democratic socialist wins Espaillat’s House seat in New York

Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier is projected to win Rep. Adriano Espaillat’s (D) seat representing New York in the House, according to Decision Desk HQ, in a win for the Big Apple’s socialist movement.

Avila Chevalier defeated Espaillat in a contentious summer primary after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a fellow democratic socialist, endorsed her over the five-term incumbent.

DDHQ projected Avila Chevalier’s win at 9 p.m. EST Tuesday.

The political newcomer sailed to a general election victory in the solidly blue 13th Congressional District, which makes up parts of Harlem, Washington Heights and the Bronx.

The primary was a squabble between progressives. Espaillat, the first member of Congress to have previously been an immigrant without legal status, was backed by left-wing Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and others in the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

But Avila Chevalier, who organized protests against Israel at Columbia University, attacked Espaillat for accepting support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as she called for an end to U.S. support for Israel.

In September, Avila Chevalier was among several protesters who were arrested during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan.

Avila Chevalier is one of two members of the Democratic Socialists of America who are expected to represent the Empire State in the House, alongside New York State Assembly member Claire Valdez, who’s on track to replace outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D) in the 7th Congressional District.