Mamdani-backed House hopeful Darializa Avila Chevalier apologizes for nasty X posts in feisty debate with Espaillat

Darializa Avila Chevalier, the far-left congressional candidate backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani who is seeking to topple New York Rep.Adriano Espaillat in a hotly contested Democratic primary, repeatedly apologized for her nasty tweets that included cursing out Kamala Harris.“I deeply regret my tweets,” Chevalier said during a fiery Tuesday night debate with Espaillat, a five-term incumbent representing northern Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.

“This is me taking accountability,” the democratic socialist firebrand declared during the debate hosted by NY1.Chevalier, 32, was forced to address an old X post in which he said, “F—k Kamala Harris [former Vice President and 2026 White House candidate].”The 13th Congressional District that Chevalier is vying to represent includes neighborhoods such as Morningside Heights, Harlem, Washington Heights and portions of the Bronx with significant black, Latino and liberal voters who supported Democrat Harris’ bid for the White House .“I sincerely apologize.

I would love to see a Black woman president,” Chevalier said.Espaillat, 71, came out swinging.He brought up that Chevalier attended a notorious Oct.8, 2023 rally in Times Square — the day after Hamas attacked Israel and killed 1,400 people, where many celebrated the slaughter.“She went to celebrate the deaths of innocent people,” Espaillat said.He also said he believes in the existence of Israel as a Jewish state, and that Chevalier does not.Chevalier countered that her attendance was not to celebrate the deaths of Israelis but to support the Palestinian cause.

She said Israel engages in “apartheid” in the West Bank and Gaza.“I would never celebrate the death of any human being,” she said.But Espaillat was also forced to play defense, particularly regarding his record supporting Israel, as sentiment among many Democrats has turned against the Jewish state for its brutal response during the retaliatory war in Gaza.The incumbent has received ...