In a closely contested race, the 32-year-old community organiser emerged victorious over Espaillat, marking a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
She reportedly secured 49.4% of the vote, winning by a narrow margin of just over 3 percentage points.
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Avila Chevalier centered her campaign on working-class issues in Upper Manhattan, criticising Espaillat for what she described as a lack of strong representation for local communities. Her platform included housing as a human right, universal healthcare, stronger union protections, a $15 federal minimum wage, immigration reform, and broader social welfare policies.
Her campaign gained national attention after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly endorsed her during a televised appearance, praising her background and advocacy for working families and marginalised communities.
However, the race was also marked by controversy after past social media posts resurfaced, drawing criticism and public scrutiny. Following the backlash, Avila Chevalier issued an apology for her earlier statements.
On the other side, Rep. Adriano Espaillat conceded defeat and expressed gratitude to his supporters, reflecting on his long tenure in Congress and decades of public service.
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He described it as an honour to serve the community and pledged to continue contributing in other ways.
Espaillat, who immigrated to the United States and rose through public service to Congress, emotionally reflected on his journey, thanking constituents for their support and saying, “Tonight wasn’t our night, but I love you anyway.”
During the campaign, Avila Chevalier also criticised Espaillat’s positions on immigration enforcement and foreign policy, as well as his acceptance of donations linked to pro-Israel political action committees.
Following her victory, Darializa Avila Chevalier will now advance to the November general election, where she is expected to face further national attention and scrutiny.
