Pro-Palestinian democratic socialist Darializa Chevalier wins New York seat

• She campaigned against US military and political support for ‘Israel’.
• She criticized incumbent Adriano Espaillat for accepting AIPAC support.
• She was arrested during a September protest against Netanyahu's UN address.

Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier has won a seat in the US House of Representatives, defeating Republican opposition in New York’s 13th Congressional District after unseating longtime Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the party’s primary earlier this year.

Decision Desk HQ projected Avila Chevalier’s victory at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 3, securing a seat in the heavily Democratic district covering parts of Harlem, Washington Heights and the Bronx.

Avila Chevalier, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist, has called for an end to US military and political support for ‘Israel’ and made opposition to the American ‘Israe’l Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) a central part of her campaign.

She previously organized demonstrations against ‘Israel’ at Columbia University, where protests over the war in Gaza became a major flashpoint in US politics. During her primary campaign, she criticized Espaillat for accepting support from AIPAC, arguing that US backing for ‘Israel’ should end.

Her activism continued beyond the campaign trail. In September, she was among protesters arrested during a demonstration opposing ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Avila Chevalier defeated Espaillat in a contentious Democratic primary after receiving the endorsement of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another democratic socialist. Her victory marked a significant challenge to the Democratic establishment in the city, despite Espaillat receiving backing from several progressive lawmakers, including Reps. Maxwell Frost and Pramila Jayapal.

Her election is also part of a broader advance for the Democratic Socialists of America in New York. State Assembly member Claire Valdez is also projected to win a House seat, succeeding outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the state's 7th Congressional District.

The victories could give the democratic socialist movement a stronger presence in Congress, including lawmakers who have made opposition to US support for ‘Israel’ and advocacy for Palestinian rights central to their political platforms.

Read more: Pro-Palestine Dr. Adam Hamawy projected to win New Jersey congressional seat