Darializa Avila Chevalier Elected to U.S. Congress from New York’s 13th District
News Americas Now, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Nov. 4, 2026: A fresh voice representing Caribbean roots will soon resonate in Capitol Hill. Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Afro-Latina daughter of Dominican immigrants, has made headlines after defeating long-serving Congressman Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary earlier this year. She has officially secured her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 13th Congressional District.
Victory Against Republican Challenger
In a heavily Democratic district encompassing Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, Avila Chevalier triumphed over Republican opponent Jomo Williams, garnering approximately 87.5 percent of the vote with around 85 percent of ballots counted, as reported by the Columbia Daily Spectator.
A Remarkable Political Journey
Avila Chevalier’s rise to prominence is nothing short of extraordinary. Just a few months prior, she shocked the political landscape by unseating Espaillat, who served as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in the Democratic primary. Avila Chevalier received 49.5 percent of the votes compared to Espaillat’s 45.7 percent, marking a significant political upset in New York.
Breaking Barriers as a Dominican Woman
As she prepares to take office in January, Avila Chevalier is poised to become the first woman of Dominican descent to serve in the U.S. Congress, according to reports from Dominican media.
Background and Education
Born in Florida to working-class Dominican parents, Avila Chevalier experienced the struggles of economic hardship and family relocation at a young age. Part of her early childhood was spent in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela before returning to the U.S. She attended Columbia University, graduating in 2016, and later pursued doctoral studies in sociology at the City University of New York, focusing on immigration law and the experiences of Black immigrants from Latin America.
Advocacy and Community Involvement
Before entering national politics, Avila Chevalier worked as an investigator with the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and engaged with immigrant rights organizations. Her advocacy has centered on challenging immigration detention policies and reuniting families separated by government actions.
Aligning with Democratic Socialism
Her candidacy was closely tied to New York City’s growing democratic socialist movement, receiving backing from influential figures such as Mayor Zohran Mamdani and organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America. Avila Chevalier’s platform included proposals to abolish ICE, increase housing assistance, implement Medicare for All, and shift federal resources to support working-class communities.
A Diverse Political Identity
Avila Chevalier’s election brings a multifaceted perspective to Congress, marking her as both Afro-Latina and Muslim. Hailing from a district with large immigrant and minority populations, her lived experiences—including time spent advocating for Palestinian rights—have profoundly shaped her political outlook.
Representation for the Caribbean Diaspora
For the Caribbean community, Avila Chevalier’s victory is particularly meaningful. She replaces Dominican-born Espaillat while contributing to a wider representation of Caribbean heritage in Congress. She will join other influential lawmakers, including Yvette D. Clarke, a daughter of Jamaican immigrants, further amplifying Caribbean voices in U.S. politics.
As she embarks on her congressional journey, Avila Chevalier stands not just as the challenger who transformed New York’s political landscape but as a symbol of hope and representation for diverse communities across the country.
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