NY Rep. Espaillat flyer uses wrong photo in attack on primary rival Chevalier

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on May 26, 2026

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A campaign flyer for Rep. Adriano Espaillat sent to Democratic voters in his upper Manhattan NY-13 district attacking his primary rival Darializa Avila Chevalier used a photo of a random woman rather than the progressive challenger.

Chevalier, who is mounting a surprisingly powerful challenge to the five-term incumbent, posted the “Adriano Yes, Darializa No” flyer along with a meme of actress Keke Palmer saying: “I don’t know who that woman is.”

Asked on social media if the photo included in the Espaillat flyer is of her, Chevalier responded: “Nope.”

An Espaillat spokesman denied that the campaign was responsible for the flyer and said he did not know who created it.

“This flyer was not created or distributed by our campaign,” said Reginald Johnson, an Espaillat campaign spokesman. “Unfortunately, this race has already seen divisive tactics, including supporters of our opponent targeting campaign materials and even his Congressional office.”

The primary race has been described as a potential sleeper for progressive insurgents looking to build on the remarkable long-shot victory of Mayor Zohran Mamdani in last year’s race for City Hall.

Espaillat, 71, has never faced a serious challenge since he narrowly won a crowded 2016 primary for the seat, which was once held by the late Rep. Charlie Rangel and represents all of Harlem, upper Manhattan and a slice of the Bronx.

The Dominican immigrant is a reliable vote for Democrats and boasts of being the only previously undocumented immigrant to serve in Congress.

Chevalier, 31, is a Columbia PhD student who works for a legal aid group in Harlem and participated in protests of Israel’s war in Gaza.

She slams Espaillat as being out of touch with the fast-changing district, pointing to his backing of ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary against Mamdani. Espaillat flipped to back Mamdani in the general election and Mamdani has so far stayed mum on the NY-13 primary.

In a sign Chevalier is running a more energetic campaign, she raised more money from donors in the first quarter of 2026 than Espaillat, although he started with a hefty war chest and has more campaign cash on hand.

A recent poll showed Chevalier within striking distance of Espaillat, just 12% behind the longtime incumbent.

Democratic pollster Adam Carlson said the primary is shaping up to be “a real race.”

“His hold on the district is not what it once was,” Carlson said. “I don’t think they took Chevalier seriously when they should have.”

The district, like others within easy commuting range of midtown Manhattan, has changed dramatically in recent years with many younger and more progressive voters moving into the neighborhoods like central Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood.