Mayor Mamdani flexes political power with endorsement of Espaillat challenger

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier to challenge incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District. The endorsement is Mamdani’s third and he described it as his final electoral flex after backing other anti-establishment Democrats in high-profile congressional primaries. Mamdani previously supported Claire Valdez, a Queens assemblymember, and former City Comptroller Brad Lander. Valdez faces Brooklyn Borough president Antonio Reynoso, endorsed by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Lander faces Rep. Dan Goldman, who did not endorse Mamdani before his election but said he would work with him afterward. Mamdani made the endorsement during a joint appearance with Avila Chevalier on MS NOW’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki.”

"The mayor's latest endorsement of democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier over incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who has represented the 13th Congressional District for nearly a decade, is his third - and he said final - electoral flex after endorsing two other anti-establishment Democrats in closely watched congressional primaries this season."

"The mayor's endorsement of Avila Chevalier comes after his early backing of Claire Valdez, an assemblymember from Queens and fellow democratic socialist, and former City Comptroller Brad Lander in two other high-profile primary races this season that are set to remake the city's congressional delegation."

"Valdez is running against Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn Borough president who was endorsed by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, one of Mamdani's earliest congressional backers ahead of his primary last year. Lander is facing off against Rep. Dan Goldman, who declined to endorse Mamdani at any point before his election but vowed to work with him after his win."

"" This is a New Yorker who has not only secured the release of our neighbors from undue ICE custody, also someone who has been on the front lines of that fight for affordability, and I can't wait for her to be introduced to so many across the city and across this country as we fight for that affordability agenda from New York City to D.C.," Mamdani said, invoking Avila Chevalier's working-class childhood and recent fights to help secure the release of detained immigrants, including Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil."

Read at Gothamist