N.Y. House Democrat Espaillat loses 13th District primary to Avila Chevalier

Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist and community organizer, defeated the five-term congressman, NBC News projects.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., has lost his primary to a challenger backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NBC News projects, in a major victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

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Community organizer and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated Espaillat, 71, after having cast him as an insufficient fighter for the working-class residents of the upper Manhattan district who was out of step with Democratic primary voters on Israel policy.

With 88% of the expected vote tallied, Avila Chevalier led Espaillat by less than 4 points. The result made Espaillat the sixth House incumbent to lose re-nomination this cycle, the same night that fellow New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman was defeated by former city Comptroller Brad Lander, who was also backed by Mamdani.