Socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has ousted five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District primary, according to the Associated Press. The race drew national attention and millions in outside spending, reflecting a deepening ideological divide within the party.
The outcome delivers a major blow to the Democratic establishment, as Espaillat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and had been a leading institutional figure. The upset underscores growing frustration among liberal activists with party leaders perceived as insufficiently progressive on issues such as healthcare, immigration, and foreign policy.
Outside spending favored both candidates heavily. BOLD America, which received cash from the CHC's super PAC and AIPAC's United Democracy Project, was the largest spender in support of Espaillat, disbursing $2.9 million according to Federal Election Commission filings. The CHC's BOLD PAC added $230,000, while the Latino Victory Fund spent $750,000. On the challenger's side, Justice Democrats poured $1.5 million into Avila Chevalier's campaign, and American Priorities — a super PAC created to counter AIPAC — added another $1.3 million.
Progressive grassroots organizations have increasingly targeted incumbents they view as too moderate or tied to pro-Israel lobbying groups. The win for Avila Chevalier aligns with a broader leftward shift in New York City politics, where Mamdani's mayoral victory in 2025 signaled growing appetite for democratic socialist policies. The district's diverse, heavily Democratic electorate may now send one of the most left-wing members of Congress to Washington.
The campaign was marked by aggressive rhetoric on both sides, with Avila Chevalier's backers framing Espaillat as an establishment tool, while her opponents highlighted what they called her history of anti-American statements. The race also exposed tensions between the party's pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian wings, a fault line likely to intensify as the general election approaches.