Darializa Ávila Chevalier defeats Adriano Espaillat in New York’s Democratic primary

New York.- Darializa Ávila Chevalier won the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, defeating longtime Congressman Adriano Espaillat with 49.4% of the vote to 46%, according to election results.

The victory marks a major political shift in one of the United States’ most prominent Dominican-American districts. Espaillat, who has represented the district in Congress since 2017, was considered a leading figure within both the Dominican community and national Democratic politics.

Ávila Chevalier, a 32-year-old Dominican-American sociologist and graduate of Columbia University, campaigned on a platform focused on community representation, progressive policies, and elevating new voices within the Democratic Party. Born in Miami to Dominican parents and raised in Washington Heights, she highlighted her deep ties to both the Dominican Republic and New York during the campaign.

Her victory positions her as an emerging figure in progressive Democratic politics and the Democratic Socialists of America movement. The race also reflected broader generational and ideological debates within the Democratic Party, contrasting established leadership with a growing progressive wing seeking political change.

Despite the closely watched contest, Dominican representation remained central to the outcome, as both candidates share strong ties to the Dominican community. The result ensures that Dominican-American leadership will continue to play a prominent role in New York’s 13th Congressional District while introducing a new political voice to the national stage.