{"id":2608311,"date":"2026-05-29T15:02:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T19:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-backs-democratic-socialist-over-aipac-backed-espaillat\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T15:03:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T19:03:39","slug":"mamdani-backs-democratic-socialist-over-aipac-backed-espaillat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-backs-democratic-socialist-over-aipac-backed-espaillat\/","title":{"rendered":"Mamdani backs Democratic socialist over AIPAC-backed Espaillat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmamdani-backs-democratic-socialist-over-aipac-backed-espaillat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608311&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), who is backed by AIPAC.The move could upset the race because Avila Chevalier is closely associated with Columbia University\u2019s pro-Palestinian encampment and highlights Espaillat\u2019s AIPAC support.<\/p>\n<p>Mamdani describes Avila Chevalier as part of a generational shift focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-lose-hispanic-and-blue-collar-voters-at-same-time\/\" title=\"Democrats Lose Hispanic and Blue-Collar Voters at Same Time\">working-class concerns<\/a>, while the article notes Espaillat has served in Congress since 2017 and is a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >prominent immigration-reform advocate<\/a>. It also explains that Mamdani had not previously endorsed Espaillat and that his and Jeffries\u2019 relationship is complicated, including earlier disagreements within progressive circles. Espaillat, meanwhile, says he is supported by a broad coalition of Democratic groups and leaders, and argues that one endorsement does not decide an election.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans criticized mamdani\u2019s endorsement, framing it as proof of the party\u2019s internal hierarchy shifting toward radical positions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"286\">New York <\/a>Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11802\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> endorsed a Democratic socialist running against Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), who is backed by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mamdani\u2019s endorsement of 32-year-old Darializa Avila Chevalier could shake up the race, as the progressive hopes to unseat Espaillat, the first Dominican American elected to the House. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4587180\/mike-johnson-chief-of-staff-leave-speaker-office\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Johnson\u2019s chief of staff to leave the speaker\u2019s office<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4587220\/cornyn-philosophy-tale-after-loss-paxton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sting in the tale: Cornyn gets philosophical after blowout loss to Paxton<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4587220\/cornyn-philosophy-tale-after-loss-paxton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sting in the tale: Cornyn gets philosophical after blowout loss to Paxton<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avila Chevalier, a political activist who touts her involvement in Columbia University\u2019s pro-Palestinian encampment, is hoping to ride the progressive wave that installed Mamdani as New York City\u2019s mayor. Given her involvement in the anti-Israel movement, Avila Chevalier has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DarializaforNY\/status\/1991508918980530253?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DarializaforNY\/status\/1991508918980530253?s=20\">highlighted<\/a> Espaillat\u2019s endorsement by the AIPAC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York City mayor announced his support for Avila Chevalier during a Thursday night appearance on <em>The Briefing with Jen Psaki<\/em>, saying that it will \u201ctake a new generation of leadership to ensure that the heartbeat of this party is once again the struggles of the working class, and in electing a champion like Darializa to represent Uptown Manhattan and the Bronx, we could have exactly that in Congress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have to be fighting for a vision that reckons with the fact that working people were not left behind just four years ago or 16 years ago. They were left behind a long time before that,\u201d Mamdani, who also describes himself as a Democratic socialist, said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Espaillat, 71, has been in Congress since 2017. A staunch immigration reform advocate, he came to the United States as a child with his family under travel visas, which they overstayed. His family later left the U.S. in order to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-passes-no-strings-attached-guaranteed-income-plan\/\" title=\"California Passes No-Strings Attached, Guaranteed Income Plan\">obtain green cards<\/a> before returning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mamdani\u2019s decision not to endorse Espaillat comes after the longtime congressman first endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo during last year\u2019s mayoral race before coalescing behind Mamdani for the general election. But the endorsement has long-range implications for the Democratic Party, as Espaillat is a close ally of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeffries and Mamdani have a complicated relationship, with the New York congressman offering Mamdani a final-hour endorsement ahead of early voting while acknowledging the duo had \u201careas of principled disagreement.\u201d Mamdani, for his part, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/11\/23\/us-news\/dsa-group-votes-against-backing-hakeem-jeffries-primary-challenger-chi-osse\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/11\/23\/us-news\/dsa-group-votes-against-backing-hakeem-jeffries-primary-challenger-chi-osse\/\">squashed a primary challenge<\/a> against Jeffries late last year from City Councilman Chi Osse, reportedly advising the Democratic Socialists of America from backing Osse\u2019s bid to unseat the Democratic leader.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Espaillat has significant backing from Democratic groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Both the Latino Victory Fund and BOLD America political organizations have pledged to boost his bid as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am proud to have the support of a strong coalition, including labor unions, advocacy groups, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Leader Jeffries, and countless community leaders who have seen my work and accomplishments firsthand,\u201d Espaillat said in a statement. \u201cMayor Mamdani is entitled to support the candidate of his choice. But one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He continued, \u201cI will continue doing what I have always done, listening to voters, showing up in every corner of the district, and earning support by meeting voters where they are and fighting for the issues that matter most to them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New York City\u2019s most famous progressive member of Congress, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), has not endorsed anyone in the contest. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4584616\/al-green-fighter-democrats-lost-texas-primary-anyway\/\"><strong>AL GREEN WAS A FIGHTER FOR THE DEMOCRATS. HE LOST HIS TEXAS PRIMARY ANYWAY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National Republican Congressional Committee press secretary Mike Marinella jabbed Mamdani\u2019s endorsement in a Friday statement, saying that \u201cThe Democrat Party\u2019s org chart is getting easier to understand: radical socialist Zohran Mamdani at the top, disgruntled Democrats fighting each other in the middle, and so-called \u2018Leader\u2019 Hakeem Jeffries buried somewhere beneath 50 feet of irrelevance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said, \u201cEvery House Democrat will bend their knee to their socialist leader, as they\u2019ve done before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zohran Mamdani backs socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier vs. Adriano Espaillat (AIPAC-backed)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2608312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-0xaylqy37-1780075195067-e1780079516399.jpg?1780060947&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33006,67238,58841,56552,5894],"class_list":["post-2608311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-aipac","tag-democratic-socialism","tag-espaillat","tag-mamdani","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-0xaylqy37-1780075195067-e1780079516399.jpg?1780060947&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608311"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608315,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608311\/revisions\/2608315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}