Headliner at Morales’ NY Fundraiser Is Progressive Congressional Candidate With Controversial Positions

Headliner at Morales’ NY Fundraiser Is Progressive Congressional Candidate With Controversial Positions

Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier is headlining a Brooklyn, New York fundraiser scheduled for Thursday night for Providence Mayor candidate David Morales.

 

The Morales fundraiser co-hosts are a cross-section of progressive activists in New York and across the country.

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One of the committee members is former Providence City Councilor Kat Kerwin, a strong advocate for defunding the police.

 

New York Congressional Candidate for Morales

Chevalier won the Democratic primary last month over incumbent Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat.

 

Her positions on a number of issues, including immigration, the attack on Israel, and criminal justice, are criticized even by Democrats.

 

A feature in the Wall Street Journal entitled “The Democratic Socialist and Anti-Israel Activist Giving Democrats Heartburn” focuses on her positions.

 

“Her victory is making some Democrats queasy, in part, because Avila Chevalier leaned in to political views that in past elections would have been viewed as politically toxic. She has called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement while suggesting illegal immigration shouldn’t be prevented. During a primary debate, she stood by her decision to attend a pro-Palestinian rally the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. And in a recent interview, she wouldn’t say whether someone convicted of murder should be incarcerated,” reported the Wall Street Journal.

 

GoLocal reached out to Morales' campaign and to him directly.

 

Morales is refusing to answer questions as to whether he agrees with Chevalier’s views.

 

This story was first published on July 9, 2026, at 8:20 PM. Updated at 7:00 AM on July 10, 2026.