Top Black Leaders Support Congressman Espaillat

Prominent black elected officials, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, are backing Congressman Adriano Espaillat in his contest against Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s far-left supporters.

Espaillat, aged 71, is up against a tough primary challenge from Diariliza Avila Chevalier, 32, a candidate from the Democratic Socialist Party of America who is aligned with Mamdani.

Jeffries and Espaillat share a long-standing partnership that began when they were both state representatives prior to their current roles in the House.

During a weekend press conference, House Democratic leaders expressed their discontent with Mayor Mamdani for intervening in the race.

“The mayor and I have strong disagreements about the Congressional race, especially regarding support for Congressman Adriano Espaillat,” Jeffries stated while endorsing Espaillat at the Edison Hotel in Manhattan.

“We’re completely and squarely behind Espaillat, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure his re-election,” Jeffries added.

Jeffries might be the first black House speaker if the Democrats regain the majority. He also touched on gentrification, a delicate topic for many minority communities, arguing that members of the DSA are often among those moving into gentrifying neighborhoods.

“Our communities are dealing with gentrification up north and Jim Crow-like strategies down south,” he remarked.

Additionally, he expressed concern that long-time residents who contributed to their neighborhoods during the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s shouldn’t be seen as “victims of their own success.”

Support from elected officials in Harlem—whose district overlaps with a significant House seat—could prove essential for Espaillat in appealing to black voters, as they gathered at various endorsement events.

The area encompasses Morningside Heights, Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and parts of the western Bronx.

From Harlem, state Sen. Cordell Cleare, along with Reps. Al Taylor and Jordan Wright, and City Councilman Yousef Salam, have expressed opposition to Espaillat.

Espaillat, whose father is a prominent figure in the Manhattan Democratic Party, endorsed Wright, who is also contesting against a DSA challenger.

If older black voters in central Harlem coordinate effectively against the younger voters connected to Chevalier, they could sway the primary outcome.

Leaders emphasized the importance of unity between the Black and Latino communities.

Espaillat is in pursuit of a sixth term and chairs the Hispanic Congressional Caucus.

“Adriano Espaillat is the right choice for this role. We don’t need an outsider,” Currier stated, highlighting the incumbent’s experience and understanding of the community’s key issues.

Reflecting on his childhood as a Dominican immigrant learning English, Espaillat recalled reading newspapers and praised his former congressman, Adam Clayton Powell, calling him a “larger-than-life man.”

“I know Harlem well,” he affirmed.

During a recent debate, Espaillat asserted he would “absolutely” support Jeffries as the first African-American speaker, whereas Avila Chevalier mentioned he’d weigh his options after discussions with voters.

Representative Yvette Clarke from Brooklyn, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Representative Gregory Meeks from Queens also showed their support for Espaillat, underlining a collective stance in favor of his candidacy.