Darializa Avila Chevalier (D) defeated incumbent Adriano Espaillat (D), Theo Chino-Tavarez (D), and Oscar Romero (D) in the Democratic primary for New York's 13th Congressional District. As of May 2026, Espaillat and Chevalier led in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention.
City & State New York's Sahalie Donaldson said, "[Espaillat]'s staunch support of Israel puts him out of favor with the growing contingent of left-leaning New Yorkers in the district – and played a big role in Avila Chevalier challenging him – the rest of his voting record is fairly progressive." The City Reporter's Claudia Irizarry Aponte said, "Avila Chevalier’s campaign is seeking to replicate the magic of Mamdani’s campaign, turning out a small army of canvassers built from the same coalition of supporters ... that helped increase turnout across the city last year." Espaillat did not face a primary challenge in 2024. In the 2022 primary, he defeated Michael Hano (D) 79.9%–12.7%.
Chevalier was, as of the 2026 election, an organizer and a doctoral student at the City University of New York. In a campaign ad, she said, "As an educator, a union member, an Afro-Latina New Yorker, I know we deserve better than the status quo. ... That's why I've been here, working to reunite families torn apart by our country's cruel immigration system." Her campaign website said she "won’t take a dime from AIPAC or corporate real estate. Her leadership is accountable to working people, and rooted in a belief that a better world is possible for uptown and the Bronx." New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) endorsed Chevalier.
Espaillat was elected to the House in 2016. His campaign website said he "has become one of the most progressive members of Congress. That’s because he has always believed progressive leadership is about action that people can feel in their daily lives." His website said he "has helped secure critical investments in affordable housing, transportation and transit accessibility, workforce development, health care, and community infrastructure — making the city more affordable for working families." New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) endorsed Espaillat.
As of June 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. In 2024, Espaillat defeated Ruben Vargas (R/Conservative) 83.0%–16.4%.
