Who is Darializa Avila Chevalier? The upstart NY democratic socialist who just beat a long-serving congressman

Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Congressman Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th District primary election on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old political newcomer, who had minimal public recognition until recently, secured over 49% of the vote. Her campaign gained significant momentum following an endorsement from Mayor Zohran Mamdani approximately three weeks prior to the election. Mamdani, who had previously supported Espaillat, highlighted Avila Chevalier's background as the daughter of a single mother and her commitment to underserved communities. Avila Chevalier, a community organizer and doctoral student with no prior political experience, works in a law office and was involved in Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Espaillat's campaign reportedly spent millions and focused on Avila Chevalier's past tweets, which included criticisms of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, for which she has expressed regret. The district encompasses upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. If elected in November, Avila Chevalier would be the first Dominican American woman to serve in Congress. Adriano Espaillat is the first Dominican American to hold a congressional seat and currently chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.