Darializa Avila Chevalier makes case to represent New York’s District 13
The district spans Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. Despite never holding elected office, Avila Chevalier is making her case to voters ahead of the general election.
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Democrat Darializa Avila Chevalier is hoping to bring change to New York’s 13th Congressional District after defeating longtime Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary.
The district spans Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. Despite never holding elected office, Avila Chevalier is making her case to voters ahead of the general election.
“For voters, it’s time that we have representation that’s fighting for the people in this district who are most impacted by the political decisions that are made every single day in Washington," Avila Chevalier said. "And, you know, to have elected leadership that actually understands what it feels like to have to question whether you might have to leave the city that you love because you simply can’t afford it anymore. And so, we ran our race on that."
Immigration enforcement is another issue at the forefront of her campaign. Avila Chevalier attended a protest following a recent shooting involving federal immigration agents in the Bronx and voiced her opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I’ve actually lived in a world where ICE didn’t exist. I’m older than that institution, and I just don’t believe that there is any world in which ICE actually promotes public safety. What we need is a dignified immigration system that is focused on what immigration is supposed to be and is, which is a civil issue,” she said.
Avila Chevalier says she wants to ensure residents across the district can live with dignity.
“I am someone who’s going to fight every single day to ensure that everyone in this district gets to live a life of dignity, because that’s what they deserve. That is what an elected official and elected representative should be doing,” she said.
Avila Chevalier faces Republican Manuel Williams in the general election. News 12 reached out to Williams to discuss his platform but did not receive a response.
According to his campaign platform, Williams supports fully funding law enforcement, voter ID requirements, pausing immigration and creating opportunities for working families.
