New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated a major political victory as all three congressional candidates he endorsed won their Democratic primaries, including Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District. Chevalier, a Democratic Socialist, secured 49.4% of the vote compared to Espaillat’s 45.9%.
The win has sparked debate over Chevalier’s policies, particularly her abolitionist stance on prisons and past social media posts criticizing the U.S. During a New York Editorial Board interview, she declined to explicitly state whether a convicted murderer should be incarcerated, instead emphasizing systemic issues. She also stated her intention to kneel during the congressional oath and has referred to the U.S. as 'occupied native land.'
Meanwhile, New York City Councilman Christopher Marte introduced a bill to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park following the death of a teenager in a recent accident. The proposal has drawn opposition from the union representing carriage drivers, who argue the rides are a longstanding tourist attraction and a vital source of income.