Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist candidate, secured an unexpected primary victory in New York's 13th Congressional District, a win that veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has not endorsed. Chevalier, whose campaign received support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has a background in "community organizing." Her past includes founding a college group that advocated for the "total eradication of Western civilization," among other controversial stances.
During a Thursday interview, Carville addressed the recent successes of several far-left candidates in New York primaries. While he somewhat minimized broader concerns, noting the victories represented only three seats in the state, he firmly asserted that Avila Chevalier's alignment with the Democratic Party was inappropriate.
Carville's Critique of Avila Chevalier's Candidacy
"Two of them I don't think are even Democrats. This Chevalier lady, I don't – they should not seat her in the caucus. Her views are totally against anything that any Democrats have. We believe in pluralism, she doesn't believe in interracial dating," Carville stated. "I don't think there's a place in the party. I'm not, by the way, I'm not sure she wants to be a Democrat. Go do something else! Form your own party!"
The interviewer highlighted some of Avila Chevalier's past statements and positions, which include advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and police forces, an end to all deportations, and characterizing veterans as "war criminals," among other controversial stances. She posed the question, "Who is this person?"
Carville unequivocally responded, "She is not a Democrat, okay? That is pretty clear, and frankly, I think a lot of Democrats feel like I do." He added, "I don't have any power, just an old washed-up consultant, but I wouldn't seat her! This is not who we are! And we should just say, look, you're duly elected, have your seat in Congress, but you would not be getting any committee assignments when the Democrats got the majority."
He referenced an observation by another political commentator concerning individuals who, despite holding animosity towards the Democratic Party, choose to run under its banner. Carville challenged this approach, asking, "Why do you want to run as a Democrat? Start your own movement! If it's such a powerful, sweeping movement that's got more momentum everywhere, then go ahead, be at the head of it, don't use the Democratic Party to advance it. We don't have any interest in it."
Distinguishing Anti-Israel Policy Criticism from Antisemitism
The interviewer then shifted the discussion to the increasing presence of antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party, inquiring whether Carville concurred with Representative Dan Goldman's view that such developments pose a fundamental threat to democratic principles.
Carville characterized the situation as "disgusting" and cautioned against confusing distinct issues. "You've got to be careful not to conflate two things," he advised. "You can be hugely 'anti-' the policies of the government of Israel, which I would describe myself as one, but when you say 'I don't think Israel should exist,' then I don't have room for ya."
He elaborated on his position, stating, "I have all the room in the world to criticize Israeli policies, to criticize the settlements — which I think are stupid and ignorant to start with, and they continue to be. You can criticize whether they reacted strategically to October the 7. That's all fine. That's all fine."
Carville drew a firm boundary at opposition to Israel's fundamental right to exist or animosity towards Jewish people as a collective. "You've got no place at my table, I can tell you that," he declared regarding individuals holding such views. "But I think the smart political move is not to seat these people."
When questioned further on whether numerous left-wing individuals accurately represent the contemporary Democratic Party, Carville reiterated his stance: while they possess the right to express their opinions, they should refrain from identifying as Democrats. "Just don't invoke the name of the Democratic Party in doing that, because you're really hurting the United States in the end," he asserted.
The interviewer highlighted the contrast between Carville's emphasis on a more established Democratic platform and the far-left positions advocating for "abolish everything and, you know, 'free Palestine.'"
Carville characterized those espousing such radical ideals as "insane," concluding, "I've got no time for these people."
