Darializa Ávila Chevalier defeats Adriano Espaillat in NY primary

On June 23, 2026, Darializa Ávila Chevalier, a 32‑year‑old activist of Dominican heritage, won the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th congressional district, unseating five‑term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, Chevalier received about 31,500 votes to Espaillat’s roughly 29,000, ending his tenure that began in 2017. The district includes northern Manhattan and the western Bronx. As the Democratic nominee, she will face Republican Jomo Williams in the November general election. Chevalier’s platform includes opposition to all deportations, prison abolition, the abolition of ICE, and criticism of U.S. policy toward Israel. After the victory she conceded the race and Espaillat announced his retirement from public life. The primary also saw fellow Mamdani‑endorsed progressives win: Claire Valdez secured NY‑7, and Brad Lander took NY‑10. Shortly after her win, Chevalier walked out of a La Mega radio interview when questioned about past social‑media posts that offended some Dominican‑American voters.