Afro-Latina activist Darializa Ávila Chevalier poised for historic congressional run
Darializa Ávila Chevalier, a Dominican-heritage community organizer and graduate student, is emerging as the Democratic frontrunner for New York’s 13th Congressional District.
After years of grassroots organizing, Darializa Ávila Chevalier entered the race for New York’s 13th Congressional District and secured a decisive primary victory over longtime incumbent Adriano Espaillat, winning more than 49% of the vote. The former community activist, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center, received endorsements from Senator Gustavo Rivera and mayoral figure Zohran Mamdani, as well as support from the Justice Democrats.
Chevalier’s platform centers on affordable, dignified housing, ending child poverty, and reforming immigration policy, reflecting her personal experience with economic hardship. She has faced attacks over her pro-Palestinian stance and past social-media posts, which she later apologized for. Celebrations in Harlem highlighted her historic potential as the first Dominican woman to represent the district in Congress.
Why it matters
Her election could shift representation and policy focus toward working-class and immigrant communities in a key New York district.
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