DistantNews
Support us
New York congressional candidate apologizes for past controversial social media posts
🇦🇷 Argentina /Elections & Politics

New York congressional candidate apologizes for past controversial social media posts

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old community leader who lived in Venezuela, is challenging incumbent Adriano Espaillat for New York's 13th Congressional District.
  • Avila Chevalier, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has faced controversy over past social media posts critical of Democratic figures and supportive of defunding the police.
  • She has apologized for her past statements, stating they no longer reflect her current positions, while Espaillat has questioned her suitability for office.

New York's 13th Congressional District is the stage for a heated primary election on June 23, featuring a notable contest between incumbent Adriano Espaillat and challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier. Chevalier, a 32-year-old community leader with roots in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, is vying for the seat that covers parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Her campaign has received a significant boost from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a prominent Democrat.

Chevalier, a graduate of Columbia University and a member of the United Auto Workers union, has a background in community organizing and works as a researcher at a Harlem-based rights defense office. Her platform focuses on combating corporate power and addressing housing accessibility issues. Mayor Mamdani has publicly endorsed her, even featuring her in a television ad during the NBA Finals, highlighting her potential as a strong advocate for the district and the city.

I deeply regret those tweets and I am focused on becoming the congresswoman my community deserves.

— Darializa Avila ChevalierThe candidate apologized for her past social media posts during a debate.

However, Chevalier's candidacy has been complicated by revelations of past controversial social media activity. A CNN report uncovered an old X account containing numerous critical posts targeting Democratic figures, including former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The account also reportedly expressed support for radical ideas like abolishing police, prisons, and borders. Chevalier has since apologized for the language used in these posts, asserting that they do not represent her current views and that she is focused on serving her community.

Her opponent, Espaillat, has seized on these past statements, questioning Chevalier's judgment and fitness for a congressional role. He stated that "words matter" and suggested her past declarations are incompatible with the responsibilities of serving in Congress. The controversy adds a layer of tension to an already closely watched election, with the primary results on June 23 potentially shaping the future representation for this key New York district.

Words matter.

— Adriano EspaillatThe incumbent congressman commented on the significance of Avila Chevalier's past statements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog