Mayor Zahran Mamdani on Thursday threw his support to a far-left and fellow candidate who attacks Israel, has extremist positions and is looking to oust five-term incumbent House Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Hizzoner endorsed controversial Darialisa Avila Chevalier in the hard-line Democratic primary covering parts of upper Manhattan and the Bronx, and praised her as a congressional candidate who has “dedicated her life to fighting for the people who are too often left behind by government.”
“She has helped free neighbors wrongfully detained by ICE and has long believed in politics rooted in affordability, dignity and community,” Mamdani said in a statement about the Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate.
“Her campaign is backed by working people who are willing to reject big money politics and demand something better. Let’s go win this.”
The mayor’s reference to Chevalier, a 32-year-old former worker in his mayoral campaign, It was first revealed on MS NOW With the husband sitting side by side.
Mamdani has backed other congressional candidates ahead of the June primary, including former City Controller Brad Lander over House Rep. Dan Goldman and state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“Last year, @ZohranMamdani showed the entire country that people power can beat the machine,” Chevalier chirp. “I’m glad to have his support!”
Espaillat, 71, who was first sworn in in 2017, shrugged off Mamdani’s endorsement and bragged about top elected officials backing him such as Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn).
“Mayor Mamdani has the right to support the candidate of his choice,” he added. He said in a statement. “But one endorsement doesn’t make a race. Voters do.”
Chevalier, an ardent critic of Israel, has a range of far-left positions, including a commitment to abolishing prisons, legalizing prostitution and the private use of all drugs, according to her DSA candidate questionnaire.
It also wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and stop sending military support to Israel.
She also has a controversial history in social media.
“I forgot to get tissues, so I wiped my hand on the American flag behind me,” she posted online in 2019 with a smiley face emoji in a now-deleted tweet.
The Post requested comment from the campaign.
She has criticized men of color for engaging in interracial relationships with white women and once spoke of closing the door on an “old white lady” in 2019 posts.
The 13th District in which the incumbent and his challenger are vying for representation includes Harlem, Washington Heights and parts of the Bronx.