New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ignited a fierce battle within Democratic ranks by throwing his support behind a socialist challenger seeking to unseat longtime Congressman Adriano Espaillat, according to political insiders.

The mayor’s endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America, in the June 23 Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District is being viewed as part of a broader effort by Mamdani and his allies to reshape and eventually dominate the Democratic Party from within.

“In New York City, it’s a civil war in the Democratic Party,” said campaign consultant Evan Roth Smith.

According to Roth Smith, Mamdani’s decision to back Avila Chevalier against Espaillat will serve as a key measure of how much influence the mayor and the DSA can wield in future elections throughout the city.

“The 13th District is an early experiment on how far Mamdani’s popularity goes,” Roth Smith said.

The move has drawn criticism even from prominent Democratic leaders. State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs publicly questioned the wisdom of challenging an established incumbent.

“I think it’s a mistake. When you have a good incumbent, stick with him,” Jacobs said.

Praising Espaillat’s record in office, Jacobs added that many voters have expressed frustration with Mamdani’s intervention in the race.

“Espaillat is an excellent congressman,” he said. “I’ve heard from a lot people in the Hispanic community and in general who are upset about him going against Espaillat.”

The 13th District, which includes large Hispanic, Latino, and Black populations, has traditionally not been viewed as fertile ground for Democratic Socialists. That contrasts with the neighboring 7th and 10th Congressional Districts, areas critics have dubbed the “Commie Corridor,” where progressive challengers have found greater success and where contentious Democratic primaries are also underway.

Still, demographic shifts have begun to alter the district’s political landscape, with younger residents who supported Mamdani increasingly moving into the area and potentially providing a receptive audience for his preferred candidate.

Mamdani carried the 13th District during both the Democratic mayoral primary and the general election, defeating Andrew Cuomo in the area despite Espaillat’s earlier endorsement of the former governor. Following Mamdani’s victory in the primary, Espaillat later endorsed him.

Avila Chevalier has built a reputation for inflammatory rhetoric, directing criticism at law enforcement, establishment Democrats, and the United States itself through a series of social media posts.

During President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, she referred to him as a “rapist” and “war criminal.” She also criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders, a favorite among many progressives, over what she described as his “liberal Zionism” after he voted present on legislation involving military aid to Israel.

In another controversial online post from 2019, she wrote: “I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me,” accompanied by a smiling emoji.

Mamdani has also become involved in another congressional contest, endorsing Democratic Socialist Assemblywoman Claire Valdez in the race for the open 7th District seat representing waterfront communities in Brooklyn and Queens.

That seat is being vacated by retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who has instead endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary against Valdez.

In the neighboring 10th District, Mamdani has likewise backed former City Comptroller Brad Lander in his challenge against incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman, another district where DSA-aligned candidates have historically performed well.

“He’s going to be mayor for four years and maybe eight. They believe in the long game,” Roth Smith said, referring to the far-left group.

Roth Smith argued that Mamdani’s efforts are partly driven by frustration over Albany politics. He noted that the mayor failed to secure all of the tax increases he sought during budget negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers, making it advantageous for him to elect more allies to state and federal office.

Jacobs, however, accused Mamdani of undermining party unity by targeting members of New York’s congressional delegation.

“We should not be fomenting dissent in the primaries when we have so much at stake in the general election,” Jacobs said.

Describing the endorsements as a show of political strength, Jacobs said the mayor is attempting to demonstrate his growing influence across the city.

“It’s an effort by Mamdani to flex his muscles in the city,” he said.

“We’ll see how that turns out.”

{Matzav.com}