NY-13: DSA will consider endorsing Espaillat challenger at candidate forum

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is still trying to decide which congressional races to get involved in this cycle.

NYC-DSA’s Electoral Working Group has scheduled a candidate forum with Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Harlem organizer who’s challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat, for next week. The livestreamed candidate forum will be held on Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. It will be limited to DSA members.

This will be the sixth candidate forum DSA has held so far this year and the third focused on congressional races. Last month, the socialist group held forums to consider backing New York City Council Member Chi Ossé’s nascent challenge to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in central Brooklyn and City Council Member Alexa Avilés’ now-defunct primary run against Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District, which straddles lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member, played a key role in both races. He attended DSA’s forum on Ossé to argue against an endorsement, and the socialist organization ultimately decided not to endorse the city lawmaker, which led Ossé to end his campaign. DSA did endorse Avilés, but Mamdani instead decided to back city Comptroller Brad Lander, who jumped into the race against Goldman on Wednesday and quickly consolidated so much progressive support that Avilés dropped her own bid.




https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/12/dsa-will-consider-endorsing-espaillat-challenger-candidate-forum/410148/?oref=csny-homepage-river