New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier declared Wednesday that she will not entertain accusations of communism, framing the attacks as a distraction from her campaign's alignment with core Democratic values. Speaking on MS NOW's “The 11th Hour,” the Democratic primary winner dismissed Republican efforts to tag her as a communist, saying she refuses to be reactive to such labels.
“That framing is one that I’ve been very proud to be able to say I don’t respond to,” Avila Chevalier said. “I have been very intentional to say I won’t be reactive.” Her stance comes despite her strong ties to socialism, including endorsements from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Avila Chevalier pulled off a significant upset Tuesday, defeating 13-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District, which covers most of Upper Manhattan and parts of the West Bronx. The victory adds to a wave of left-wing primary wins that have deepened internal party divisions.
The contest has drawn national attention as a bellwether for the Democratic Party’s ideological direction. Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have seized on the result, with Trump blasting “communists” after left-wing candidates swept several New York primaries. Avila Chevalier, however, insists her platform is rooted in the party’s base, not in radical ideology.
“Our campaign was about housing, healthcare, and economic justice,” she added. “Those are Democratic values. I’m not going to let anyone redefine what we stand for.”
The race also highlighted the growing influence of Mayor Mamdani, whose DSA-backed slate reshaped several House contests. Mamdani’s endorsements have been a flashpoint, with critics like New York Attorney General Letitia James blasting him for “blowing up” the party with socialist picks. The DSA’s slate has tested left-wing power in New York’s primaries, and Avila Chevalier’s win is seen as a key test of that strategy.
Republican groups are already planning to use the communist label in general election ads, but Avila Chevalier’s refusal to engage may complicate their messaging. “We’re focused on the issues that matter to working families,” she said. “Name-calling won’t change that.”
The New York primary upsets have deepened the Democratic rift, as left-wing candidates oust incumbents and party leaders scramble to respond. Avila Chevalier now heads into a general election in a safely Democratic district, making her primary win effectively a ticket to Congress.
