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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Darializa Avila Chevalier, the democratic socialist who stunned New York politics by toppling a powerful incumbent in a Democratic primary on Tuesday, has quickly become a lightning rod for debate—driven in large part by her outspoken views on President Donald Trump, immigration enforcement and Israel.
Avila Chevalier secured her breakthrough victory in New York’s 13th Congressional District, defeating five-term incumbent Representative Adriano Espaillat in a major upset. Avila Chevalier won with just under half the vote, around 49 percent, compared with Espaillat’s mid‑40s share.
A 32-year-old activist and first-time candidate backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Avila Chevalier has built her political identity around a confrontational critique of both Republican and Democratic leadership, calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an end to U.S. support for Israel, and a more aggressive opposition to Trump-era policies. Her positions—and the rhetoric surrounding them—have energized progressive voters while intensifying divisions within the Democratic Party, as establishment leaders grapple with the rising influence of candidates like her.
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Who Is Darializa Avila Chevalier?
A doctoral student and community organizer with roots in immigrant advocacy and pro-Palestinian activism, Avila Chevalier represents a younger, more confrontational wing of the left. Her rise mirrors the trajectory of earlier progressive insurgents but has drawn even sharper attention because of her rhetoric on issues including immigration enforcement, U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration.
Her victory, alongside other Mamdani-backed candidates, has intensified tensions between the Democratic establishment and a surging progressive movement that is increasingly willing to challenge incumbents from the left.
Newsweek reached out to Avila Chevalier's campaign by email for comment.
What She Has Said About Trump
Avila Chevalier has positioned herself as an unequivocal Trump opponent, frequently framing her campaign as part of a broader fight against his policies and legacy. She has vowed not to “back down” from Trump, signaling an adversarial posture that aligns with her broader critique of U.S. political institutions and leadership.
In late May, Avila Chevalier criticized Trump after the U.S. brought charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro related to the 1996 shoot-down of two civilian planes that killed four people.
“We’ve seen this play out for decades. The U.S. destabilizes a peaceful country, forcing vulnerable people to flee their homes,” she wrote in a post on X on May 24. “This cruel collective punishment is especially insidious as Trump decimates our immigration system, leaving the fate of the Cuban people even more in flux. As the child of immigrants, I’ve seen this tragedy firsthand and will do everything in my power to stop it in Congress.”
She has also taken aim at Trump over his immigration policies.
“Trump targeting people who've already taken every step to achieve US citizenship shows clearly that this was never about enforcing legal immigration; it’s about wanting to expel certain types of people from the country,” she wrote in April.
At the same time, Avila Chevalier’s rhetoric toward Trump and Democratic leaders illustrates a wider disillusionment with mainstream politics. During the primary campaign, she argued that establishment politicians were failing to meaningfully challenge Trump-era policies, particularly on immigration enforcement and foreign policy.
What She Has Said About ICE
Immigration enforcement—and specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—has been a central issue in Avila Chevalier’s political identity.
She has repeatedly criticized ICE’s actions, at times using stark language. In campaign messaging, she accused authorities of “kidnapping” constituents through deportation enforcement and questioned why elected officials supported ICE funding policies.
Avila Chevalier has also embraced a broader abolitionist framework. She has advocated eliminating ICE entirely, a position rooted in her long involvement with immigrant rights activism. Her past statements have gone further, including assertions that “all deportation is wrong” and that immigration enforcement systems should be dismantled. She has also advocated for "a world without prisons or police.”
“I’ve organized to get immigrants out of detention, including my friend Mahmoud Khalil, and am running to abolish ICE,” Avila Chevalier wrote in a June 19 X post that targeted Espaillat’s efforts in Congress regarding ICE funding.
As a public defender’s office investigator and activist, Avila Chevalier has worked on cases involving immigrants in detention and has organized efforts to secure releases from ICE custody. She has also cited specific cases, including advocating for detained activists, as motivating factors in her political run.
“I was born before ICE was created. It has had a terrorizing impact on our immigrant communities writ large,” she wrote on X on June 12. “For me, it’s not about replacing ICE: it’s about expanding pathways to citizenship.”
These views place her at the far end of the Democratic spectrum on immigration, even as the issue remains a core concern for voters in her district.
What She Has Said About Israel
Avila Chevalier’s views on Israel have been among the most scrutinized aspects of her political record and a defining issue in her campaign.
She has been outspoken in opposition to U.S. support for Israel, calling for an end to military aid and framing the conflict in Gaza as a human rights crisis. Her campaign platform has included calls to “stop all funding to the Israeli government” and to divest from what she describes as Israeli apartheid.
Her activism predates her run for office. As a student and later an organizer, she participated in and helped lead pro-Palestinian protests, including high-profile demonstrations tied to campus activism. She has said she has advocated for Palestinian human rights throughout her adult life.
“I’ve fought for a free Palestine for years, she wrote on X on June 19. “I’m an educator who has seen first hand how the kids in NYA-13 are getting the short end of the stick. I’m running to invest our taxes in our babies here at home, not in bombs to kill kids abroad.”
The issue proved central in her primary race, where she contrasted her position with Espaillat, who supported U.S. assistance to Israel. Her stance reflects a growing divide among Democrats over Israel policy, particularly among younger and more progressive voters.
What Happens Next
Avila Chevalier’s victory is part of a broader political shift in New York City, where candidates backed by Mamdani swept competitive primaries and defeated establishment-backed Democrats, including incumbents.
For Mamdani, her victory validates a strategy of backing insurgent candidates willing to challenge incumbents on issues like Israel and immigration. The success of his slate suggests that, at least in some urban districts, voters are receptive to a more ideologically assertive left.
For establishment Democrats, the implications are significant. Some party strategists have raised concerns that the rise of candidates like Avila Chevalier could complicate efforts to appeal to moderate voters nationally, while progressive activists and allies argue that the victories signal a broader ideological shift within the party.
However, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) congratulated Avila Chevalier on her win. When reached for comment, the DNC referred Newsweek to a statement shared by Chair Ken Martin.
“Darializa Avila Chevalier is a tireless advocate for the hard-working people of New York City," Martin said. "She consistently serves her neighbors and has always stood up for New Yorkers. In Congress, she will fight for healthcare, affordable housing, public education, civil rights, and an economy that works for everyone. The DNC is ready to work alongside her to put families first and make life more affordable.”
Ultimately, Avila Chevalier’s rise reflects a deeper realignment within the party—one driven by generational change, dissatisfaction with traditional leadership, and a willingness among some voters to embrace more radical policy positions. Whether that shift strengthens or fractures the Democratic coalition heading into national elections remains an open question.
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