The Congressional Black Caucus’ political arm has endorsed Rep. Adriano Espaillat in his upcoming Democratic primary, marking a notable reversal nearly a decade after the group denied his request to join its ranks. Espaillat, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and represents Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, had been repeatedly rebuffed when attempting to join the CBC, despite identifying as a Latino of African descent.
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“Congressman Adriano Espaillat reflects the kind of leadership that our caucus and its members have long championed,” emphasized Rep. Gregory Meeks, chair of the CBC’s political action committee. The endorsement highlights Espaillat’s record on affordable housing, economic justice, and civil rights, positioning him against a progressive challenger in a district increasingly energized by leftist politics.
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Espaillat faces Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 31-year-old Harlem-based organizer backed by the Justice Democrats and the city’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter. Chevalier, a public defender investigator and Ph.D. student, has led anti-Israel campus protests and cited recent progressive victories as motivation for her campaign.
Her campaign criticizes Espaillat’s ties to corporate interests and pro-Israel lobbying groups, arguing that his record does not reflect the needs of the district’s working-class residents. Espaillat, now serving his fifth term, acknowledged the challenge but emphasized his commitment to affordable housing and community advocacy, adding that he is honored to receive the CBC’s backing.
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