In a historic victory for working-class organizing and anti-imperialist solidarity, New York’s progressive movement achieved a clean sweep in Tuesday's primary elections. Three left-wing champions—Darializa Avila Chevalier, State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, and Brad Lander—won decisive victories over establishment-backed opponents, sending a clear message that voters are demanding systemic change. Backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, this progressive slate successfully defeated candidates funded and endorsed by the corporate Democratic establishment, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The sweep marks a watershed moment for democratic socialism in New York and nationwide. For too long, the party establishment has tried to suppress bold, transformative policies in favor of incrementalism and corporate compromise. By securing victories in these deep-blue districts, these candidates have carved out a direct path to Congress, where they will champion policies like Medicare-for-All, the abolition of ICE, and a housing-first agenda that prioritizes people over real estate profits. This victory confirms that grassroots organizing can dismantle the power of entrenched political machines.

The most historic upset of the night occurred in the 13th Congressional District, where 32-year-old Afro-Latina activist Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Running a principled campaign from the left, Avila Chevalier challenged Espaillat’s moderate record, giving voice to a community hungry for authentic, radical representation. Throughout the race, Avila Chevalier faced intense pushback from establishment forces who attempted to weaponize her identity and critique her connection to her Dominican roots. However, her victory proves that working-class voters embraced her vision of multiracial, anti-imperialist solidarity.

Avila Chevalier’s organizing background is deeply rooted in the fight against systemic oppression. As an undergraduate at Columbia University, she dedicated her time to organizing against right-wing organizations and resisting imperialist foreign policy. She co-founded Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a student group that sought to challenge institutional complicity in global human rights abuses. Her work at CUNY, where she is currently pursuing a PhD, has continued this trajectory of academic rigor combined with radical, street-level activism.

Throughout the campaign, corporate media and establishment figures attempted to derail Avila Chevalier's candidacy by focusing on past actions and statements from CUAD, including a controversial social media post stating "Death to America" and a 2024 declaration calling for the "total eradication of Western civilization." While Columbia University sought to distance itself from the student movement, progressives viewed these attacks as a coordinated effort to silence anti-war voices and distract from the urgent need to challenge Western hegemony and colonial violence.

Establishment critics also targeted Avila Chevalier’s past social media posts, where she held powerful political figures accountable for their policies. In deleted posts on X, she candidly criticized former President Joe Biden’s record, calling him a "rapist" and "war criminal" for his foreign policy actions, used strong words to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, and pushed back against Senator Bernie Sanders for his "liberal Zionism." For her supporters, these posts represented a refreshing refusal to coddle political elites and a commitment to holding all leaders accountable, regardless of party affiliation.

Her campaign’s momentum culminated on June 18, 2026, at a massive Get Out the Vote rally at King's Theater in New York City. Avila Chevalier stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Senator Bernie Sanders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, demonstrating the growing power of the left-wing coalition. The rally mobilized thousands of working-class New Yorkers, showing that the demand for human rights, economic justice, and anti-imperialism is a unifying force capable of defeating entrenched incumbents.

This grassroots momentum was mirrored in the campaigns of Claire Valdez and Brad Lander. Valdez, a dedicated DSA member and State Assemblywoman, mobilized working-class tenants and labor organizers to secure her path to Congress. Lander, a progressive leader and former DSA member, ran on a platform centered on economic justice and restructuring public safety. Together, this incoming congressional cohort will provide a powerful counterweight to the conservative drift of the national Democratic Party leadership.

As these progressive leaders prepare to head to Washington, the victory demonstrates that primary challenges remain a vital tool for democratic accountability. By building power from the ground up, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the DSA have shown that the path to a just society requires defeating corporate-backed politicians and replacing them with organizers who are accountable only to the people. This primary sweep is not just a win for New York; it is a blueprint for the national left.

Sources: * New York State Board of Elections Office of Campaign Finance * Federal Election Commission Campaign Filing Database * Columbia University Office of the Provost Archive on Student Organizations