Darializa Avila Chevalier leads democratic socialist surge in Democratic Party

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old democratic socialist, has emerged as a prominent figure in a progressive insurgency within the Democratic Party. After defeating the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the June Democratic primary, Chevalier is preparing for the upcoming midterm elections.

If Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in November, Chevalier and at least four other democratic socialist nominees could hold significant influence. Should House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries secure only a single-digit majority, this cohort of left-wing lawmakers may be able to demand concessions on various progressive priorities and impact the speakership.

Chevalier, a community organizer and doctoral student, centered her campaign on the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and support for Palestinians. She has indicated that her group intends to enter Congress with a focus on building a model of co-governance to empower working people.