mayor of new york MandaniZohran Mamdani publicly endorsed left-wing candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier's challenge against five-term Democratic Representative Adriano Espaillat for the 13th district on Thursday evening (May 28). Mamdani's endorsement at this time makes the primary a crucial indicator of whether the progressive movement in New York can expand.
On the 29th, Mandani posted on the X platform in support of Avilaciwalir, saying that he was "proud to support her entry into parliament," and that Avilaciwalir came from a single-parent family, her mother was a social worker, and she dedicated her life to advocating for neglected communities. She had helped release residents wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and her political ideals revolved around "affordability, dignity, and community."
After receiving Mandani's endorsement, Avilaciwalil, considered an emerging representative of the democratic socialist camp, expressed on the X platform his expectation to work with Mandani to promote a "more affordable New York" in Congress, emphasizing that resources should be invested in community building rather than overseas military operations.
A long-time advocate for pro-Palestinian and progressive political movements, he previously participated in Columbia University's "Students for Justice in Palestine" organization and spearheaded the "Columbia University Apartheid Divest" movement, aligning his ideals closely with the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement. In 2024, he also participated in protests related to Columbia University's Gaza Strip, and in April of this year, he was arrested for protesting US military aid policies towards Israel.
She advocates for immigration reform, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expanding affordable housing, and securing federal funding to improve public housing. She also supports the Block the Bombs Act and advocates for restrictions on certain arms sales to Israel. Regarding foreign policy, she advocates halting U.S. military aid to Israel and redirecting related resources to domestic social policies, emphasizing "anti-war and anti-poverty" as core demands.
The New York Times, citing sources, reported that Mandani had pledged his support for Espayate last year in response to Espayate's earlier switch of allegiance to his mayoral campaign. However, with Avilaciwalir's support rapidly growing among progressive grassroots voters, the mayor's camp is reassessing its position. If Mandani ultimately endorses the mayor, it is expected to further sway the election before the June 23 primary, especially given the low voter turnout.
However, this endorsement has also sparked political controversy. Incumbent Representative Espyat is considered to have a pro-Israel stance and is supported by the pro-Israel political organization, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). New York City Councilman Eric Dinowitz criticized this, arguing that Mandani "challenging an incumbent representative is one thing, but breaking a promise is quite another."
Mandani has already endorsed several progressive candidates, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, and is seen as actively consolidating left-wing political forces.
