New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed democratic socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier on Thursday in her bid to unseat longtime incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District, marking a reversal of a prior commitment in the 2026 election cycle.
Mamdani had previously pledged to support Espaillat but ultimately reversed that decision and endorsed Avila Chevalier, a fellow Democratic Socialists of America member. Espaillat had endorsed Mamdani during the 2025 mayoral general election after Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination.
Mamdani made the announcement during an appearance on The Briefing with Jen Psaki on MS NOW, where he framed Avila Chevalier’s campaign as part of a broader push focused on affordability and working-class representation. He highlighted Avila Chevalier’s record on immigration and economic issues, calling her someone who has been “on the front lines of that fight for affordability,” while also praising her work on cases involving ICE custody and economic justice.
Espaillat, who has represented the district since 2017 and chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, highlighted support from Democratic leaders including Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Espaillat stated, “Mayor Mamdani is entitled to support the candidate of his choice in the race. But one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do.”
Avila Chevalier, a progressive organizer backed by the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats, focused her remarks on affordability and economic inequality in New York City.
“As someone who has had to live with the question of whether I can even afford to stay in the city I love, as someone who has struggled with this issue of affordability, but yet seen time and time again my tax dollars, New Yorkers’ tax dollars, be used to bomb children and families abroad instead of being invested in our communities here, I am tired of that type of politics,” she said.
The endorsement marks Mamdani’s third congressional primary endorsement cycle, following support for other progressive candidates in New York races.
