NYC Mayor Mamdani Endorses Darializa Avila Chevalier for Congress

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has officially endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier, a former organizer of the Columbia University Gaza encampment, in her bid for the U.S. House of Representatives [2]. The endorsement marks a significant development in the race for New York’s 13th Congressional District, where Avila Chevalier is challenging five-term incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat [3].

Key takeaways

• Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist, is running against incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th District [2].
• Avila Chevalier previously helped organize the 2024 Gaza encampment at Columbia University and has been involved in pro-Palestinian activism since 2016 [2].
• Mayor Mamdani’s endorsement focuses on issues of affordability and immigrant protection, though he and his other endorsees all oppose U.S. military aid to Israel [2].
• During the first quarter of 2026, Avila Chevalier raised approximately $270,000, outperforming the $230,000 raised by Espaillat [1].
• Critics, including City Council member Eric Dinowitz, have accused the mayor of reneging on a previous commitment to support Espaillat [2].

A Shift in Political Alliances

The endorsement of Avila Chevalier by Mayor Mamdani, an anti-Zionist, aligns with his broader strategy of supporting congressional candidates who oppose U.S. military aid to Israel, including Brad Lander and Claire Valdez [2]. In his statement, Mamdani praised Avila Chevalier’s commitment to protecting immigrants and improving affordability, though he did not explicitly reference foreign policy or the ongoing conflict in the Middle East [3].

Avila Chevalier has centered her campaign on a platform that includes abolishing ICE, increasing affordable housing, and securing federal funding for public housing repairs [2]. She has also been vocal about her foreign policy goals, which include ending U.S. funding for the Israeli government and supporting the "Block the Bombs Act," which would restrict the sale of certain offensive weapons to Israel [3]. Her activism dates back to her time as a student at Columbia, where she participated in Students for Justice in Palestine and helped form Columbia University Apartheid Divest [2].

Tensions Over Campaign Commitments

The decision to back a challenger against Espaillat has drawn criticism from some local officials. City Council member Eric Dinowitz noted that Espaillat had previously endorsed Mamdani during the mayoral general election, leading to accusations that the mayor is breaking a past promise to support the incumbent [2]. Avila Chevalier has further escalated the rhetoric of the race by accusing Espaillat, who holds the endorsement of the pro-Israel group AIPAC, of being "bought by the Israeli lobby" [2].

Why it matters

The race highlights a growing divide within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. policy toward Israel and the influence of progressive activism in local elections. While Espaillat maintains an advantage in total cash on hand, Avila Chevalier’s ability to out-fundraise an incumbent in the first quarter of 2026 suggests a competitive primary environment [1]. As the campaign progresses, the clash between the incumbent's established political ties and the challenger's grassroots, activist-led platform serves as a barometer for the influence of the democratic socialist movement in New York politics [2].