Mamdani Infuriates Congressional Hispanic Caucus With Endorsement of Progressive Candidate

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opened a new front in the Democratic Party's internal war, this time with Latino power players in Washington.

Mamdani's decision to endorse Darializa Ávila Chevalier, a democratic socialist challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District, has infuriated members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and threatens to complicate the mayor's relationship with influential Latino Democrats on Capitol Hill.

The endorsement landed like a political grenade because Espaillat is not just another House incumbent. He is the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the first Dominican American elected to Congress and one of the most visible Latino Democrats in Washington. The CHC unanimously elected him chairman for the 119th Congress in 2024.

Mamdani formally backed Ávila Chevalier in late May, appearing alongside her in a television interview and endorsing her over Espaillat, according to NY1. Ávila Chevalier's campaign website lists Mamdani, Justice Democrats and the New York City Democratic Socialists of America among her endorsers.

The move immediately rattled New York's congressional delegation and the CHC, with Punchbowl News reporting that Mamdani's endorsement was threatening his relationships with Latino lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Punchbowl News reported comments from several Latino representatives:

"I think it's outrageous," Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) said of Mamdani's endorsement against Espaillat. "Here we have the leader of the Hispanic Caucus, who has worked hard in his position, a very progressive guy, and all of a sudden he's cut off at the knees by the mayor, who told him he was going to support him."

Rep. Raúl Ruiz (D-Calif.): "It's unfortunate. Adriano Espaillat has been an excellent representative of people in his district who fights hard for all the progressive issues that Mamdani has claimed support for."

Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-Calif.): "He's endorsing against the chair of the Hispanic Caucus, who's been leading the effort on fighting against the Trump administration's attack on immigrants."

For Mamdani, the endorsement fits a broader strategy. Since becoming mayor, he has used his political capital to boost left-wing challengers and expand the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York politics. For the CHC, however, backing a primary challenge against its sitting chair is being viewed as a direct provocation.

The race has quickly become more than a local primary. It is a test of strength between New York's insurgent left and the Democratic establishment, with Latino Democrats now squarely in the middle.

Espaillat represents a heavily Latino and immigrant district that includes Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, and parts of the northwest Bronx.

Ávila Chevalier is running to Espaillat's left, with support from Justice Democrats and DSA-aligned activists. She has framed her campaign around affordability, immigration, housing, and opposition to U.S. military support for Israel. After Mamdani's endorsement, she thanked him on X and said she looked forward to fighting for "a more affordable New York" and for investing in communities rather than "bombs abroad," according to the Times of Israel.

But her campaign has also drawn scrutiny over past social media posts and her political activism. City & State New York reported that Ávila Chevalier attended a controversial Oct. 8 pro-Palestinian rally in 2023, one day after the Hamas attack on Israel, a rally that fellow progressive Brad Lander had condemned.

Espaillat's campaign has gone on offense. A new ad attacks Ávila Chevalier over deleted tweets and other past remarks, including comments criticizing Democratic leaders and U.S. foreign policy. The New York Post reported that Avila Chevalier dismissed the focus on old posts during a WNYC debate, arguing that voters should focus on issues affecting the district.

Mamdani has stood by her, and defended Avila Chevalier by arguing that her past comments do not reflect her current politics and that she would be a champion for working people.