A New York City congressional candidate who has embraced socialist politics says she is “very focused” on her November general election—even as she tours Uruguay with fellow leftists, according to a report from the New York Daily News.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, who stunned the political establishment by defeating Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the June primary, told a Uruguayan radio station during her trip: “Right now, I’m very focused on my general election in November and making sure we’re showing people that we can change lives in material ways.”
The quote, captured on video, came as Chevalier and fellow New York socialist candidate Claire Valdez were attending the Pan-American Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay, over the weekend. The event, organized by the Democratic Socialists of America, also drew a congressional delegation that included progressive Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Chuy Garcia (D-IL), according to the Daily News.
Chevalier, who also co-founded an organization that advocates for the “total eradication of Western civilization,” according to Breitbart News, has previously drawn attention for her radical online posts—many of which she has since deleted. Her primary victory over Espaillat, a longtime incumbent, marked a significant win for the left wing of the party in New York’s 13th Congressional District.
A Focus on Material Change
In the radio interview, Chevalier sought to frame her campaign around practical outcomes, suggesting that socialism means communities stepping up when government fails. She pointed to historical examples like the Black Panthers and the Young Lords handing out food and cleaning up garbage when public officials did not act.
“We can change lives in material ways,” she repeated, emphasizing her push to connect with voters on issues like housing, healthcare, and economic security.
Her comments come as she faces a general election rematch against Espaillat, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. The district, which covers parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, is heavily Democratic, making the general election a critical test for Chevalier’s coalition-building.
Socialism and Swing Voters
Chevalier also claimed during the radio appearance that Americans who voted for President Donald Trump were ready to embrace socialism. Breitbart News noted that her assertion appears to be “based on a focus group of BIDEN voters that then went for Trump over Kamala in 2024,” without mentioning the context of those voters’ 2020 choices.
That focus group, observed by NPR and reported on August 13, found that some swing voters might not automatically reject socialist candidates. In the group of 12 Nevada voters—most of whom supported Joe Biden in 2020 before switching to Trump in 2024—10 said they wouldn’t think negatively of a politician who identifies with left-wing ideology. The group included six self-described independents, four Republicans, and two Democrats.
The NPR report suggests that while national campaigns have often used “socialist” as a slur, a segment of the electorate—especially those disaffected with the status quo—may be open to such labels if candidates can tie them to concrete benefits.
A Rising Left-Wing Wave
Chevalier and Valdez are part of a wave of DSA-backed candidates who have won primaries in New York this cycle, defeating more moderate incumbents. Their trip to Uruguay, which included participation in the Pan-American Congress, signals a broader effort to build international solidarity among leftist movements across the Americas.
Critics, however, have seized on the timing. “She says she’s focused on the general election, but she’s spending the weekend in Montevideo,” said one political observer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Voters in her district might wonder where her priorities lie.”
Chevalier’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but her radio remarks were clearly aimed at preempting such criticism.
The general election in New York’s 13th District is scheduled for November. Chevalier will face Espaillat, who has accused her of being too extreme for the district. Polls show a competitive race, though Democrats hold a significant registration advantage.
For now, Chevalier is juggling two worlds: one at home, where she must persuade moderate Democrats and independents she can deliver change, and one abroad, where she is building ties with leftist leaders who see her as part of a new vanguard.
Whether that international profile helps or hurts her in November remains to be seen.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/21/watch-nyc-socialist-candidate-darializa-avila-chevalier-claims-she-is-focused-on-general-election-while-touring-uruguay-with-fellow-leftists/