See more of our coverage in your search results.
Lefty-firebrand Darializa Avila Chevalier — who once called the US a “a f–king disgrace” — will soon head to Congress, along with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s other handpicked House candidates, Claire Valdez and Brad Lander.
Follow for live updates on the 2026 Midterm Elections
Mamdani’s socialist slate sailed to victory Tuesday night, riding the socialist wave as the extreme left group tries to take over the Democratic Party.
Chevalier, who also famously referred to President Joe Biden as “rapist” and a “war criminal” — trumped her GOP foe Jomo Williams in New York’s 13th Congressional District, which reps Harlem and the Bronx, in the general election.
She had a nearly 80-point when the race was called by the Associated Press.
Valdez, Mamdani’s mentee and fellow DSA member in Brooklyn, beat out the Republican candidate, Melvin Rivera, who were vying for the 7th congressional seat that is home to the massive lefty population, dubbed “commie corridor.”
Valdez had a 70-point lead when the AP called the race.
Lander — who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic mayoral primary last year before turning his sights on fellow Democrat Dan Goldman’s House seat— cleaned up as he squared off against Republican Jennifer Moore in the 10th Congressional District
The former city comptroller, who is considered DSA-adjacent after being endorsed by Mamdani, was up by about 70 points when the race was called.
Hizzoner cashed in on much of his political capital over the first few months in office, wading into the Democratic primaries with New York’s congressional delegation.
His endorsement of Chevalier, who believes Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is too conservative, shook the political world — likely pushing her over the line to beat the establishment Democrat, Adriano Espaillat.
More coverage of the 2026 midterm elections:
- Live updates on the midterm elections
- New York Gov. Hochul defeats GOP candidate Bruce Blakeman, will face pressure to cave to DSA in second full term
- Indicted NJ Dem LaMonica McIver wins re-election bid despite ongoing ICE case
- Dem Roy Cooper flips North Carolina Senate seat, beats Trump pick Michael Whatley
- Chris Pappas halts Sununu comeback in New Hampshire, makes Senate history
The first Dominican American representative to serve in the House was blindsided and not prepared to fend off a primary challenge, losing to the insurgent socialist.
One of Mamdani’s campaign advisors, Morris Katz, had pushed the mayor to jump into the race, according to sources.
And it also came out later that Chevalier, whose bombastic social media posts dominated the coverage of her campaign, was dating Mamdani’s top attorney Ramzi Kassem.
Mamdani backing Valdez was no surprise after hitting the campaign trail with her before even taking over at City Hall. But he ruffled feathers with outgoing longtime Rep. Nydia Velázquez backing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to succeed her.
Velázquez even publicly took shots at the young mayor, telling the New York Times he should focus on NYC rather than the delegation.
Lander, who is not a DSA member, also didn’t turn any heads after the two cross-endorsed each other just before the primary, creating a coalition on the left to take down ex-governor Andrew Cuomo in the ranked-choice election.
Before announcing his run, Lander was going around telling anyone who would listen that Mamdani was bringing him on as first deputy mayor — until the socialist shut him down, demanding Lander stop, according to sources.
Chevalier and Valdez have already made waves with other representatives earlier this year as they schemed to vote down a Department of Homeland Security budget as part of their anti-ICE agenda that they wanted to parlay into increasing the ranks of socialists in office.
The nay vote would cost the Big Apple more than $200 million in grants that help protect the city from terror attacks.
