As New York's Democratic primaries reach their climax, a heated race between Rep. Adriano Espaillat and challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier has ignited explosive racial and religious tensions, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani drawing fire for divisive rhetoric. In the Bronx, where Espaillat, a Dominican-American Christian, faces a stiff challenge from Mamdani-backed socialist Chevalier, allies of the incumbent have amplified concerns about ethnic power shifts.
Historic Harlem Shifts from Black to Hispanic Majority
Former Dominican energy minister Pelegrín Castillo alleged in a recent social media post that New York City's mayor seeks to "ethnically reconfigure" the 13th District by boosting Haitian and other minority voters. "Dominicans with voting rights must stay highly alert," he wrote, accusing Mamdani of proposing a Muslim candidate to challenge Espaillat. The post drew swift condemnation from Brooklyn councilman Chi Ossé, a Chevalier supporter and Mamdani ally. "Surrogates of the campaign against Darializa have been peddling anti-Black racism, specifically against Haitians," Ossé said. "Calling Darializa Haitian as though that were a slur, I condemn the vile racism in @EspaillatNY's camp."
The clash echoes longstanding tensions between Dominicans and Haitians, rooted in historical conflicts including the 1937 Dominican massacre of up to 75,000 Haitians. Today, Harlem, a neighborhood represented by Black congressman Charles Rangel for 46 years, now anchors a majority-Hispanic district due to redistricting. Espaillat, who has held the seat since 2017, faces his toughest challenge yet from Chevalier, a socialist backed by Mamdani's political machine.
Mamdani, who endorsed Chevalier along with anti-Israel candidates Brad Lander and Clare Valdez, has amplified rhetoric criticizing Jewish political influence. At a Thursday rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders, he declared: "Now is the time of monsters. These monsters take many forms today… In AIPAC, for whom the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu's wars." The remarks prompted backlash from Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon, who called the comments "the oldest antisemitic conspiracy theory in the books." Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) added: "Swap 'AIPAC' for 'Jews', this bullshit is dangerous."
Early voting in New York runs through June 23, with primary day scheduled for June 25. The contests mark the first major test of Mamdani's political influence since his surprise mayoral victory last year. His endorsed candidates, all opposed by the Democratic establishment, have positioned themselves as anti-corporate progressives, clashing with moderate Democrats over issues ranging from Israel policy to tax priorities.