Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is running for a sixth term, but he is not going into Tuesday's New York Democratic primary unopposed. He faces a challenge from a political newcomer, Avila-Chevalier, in a race that has drawn unusual attention because of who has lined up behind each candidate. With early voting now finished, the contest heads into its final day at the ballot box.
The challenger has been endorsed by New York City Mayor Mamdani, giving a first-time candidate a powerful ally against a veteran incumbent. Espaillat, for his part, is not without heavyweight support of his own. He has been backed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and by Governor Hochul, two of the most prominent figures in the state and national Democratic Party.
What makes the matchup especially striking is the history between Espaillat and the mayor. Espaillat had endorsed Mamdani during the New York City mayoral race, yet the mayor is now throwing his weight behind the congressman's opponent. Rather than return the favor, Mamdani has left the incumbent on the sidelines while lifting up the newcomer running against him.
Although Mamdani is not himself on the ballot, he could prove to be a deciding factor in several key congressional races across the city. The mayor is supporting three more progressive candidates over sitting Democratic incumbents, putting the influence of his office directly into the primaries. He featured his picks, including Avila-Chevalier, in a television advertisement that aired during the NBA Finals.
The effort is part of a broader push by Mamdani to reshape the city's congressional delegation. He is hoping to replace establishment Democrats, among them Espaillat and Congressman Dan Goldman, as well as the seat of retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, with progressives who back his Democratic Socialist agenda. Alongside Avila-Chevalier, his endorsements have gone to candidates such as Claire Valdez and Brad Lander.
The outcome will hinge on turnout, which tends to be low in the city's primaries. In some years, barely ten percent of New York's registered voters cast ballots in these contests, making endorsements and get-out-the-vote efforts especially important. Early voting wrapped up this afternoon, and primary day is set for Tuesday, when voters will decide whether the mayor's backing is enough to unseat a well-known incumbent.