James Carville Questions Party Alliances After New York Primary
James Carville, a longtime strategist for the Democratic Party, is expressing dissatisfaction, particularly with a recent faction that achieved victory in New York. On a podcast called the “Political Strategy Office,” he discussed how three candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani are pushing for a formal separation following their success in the Democratic House primary. He specifically highlighted Darializa Avila Chevalier and her prior remarks.
“Let’s just dive into it. She criticized interracial relationships and the national anthem. Honestly, I cannot identify with her views. That’s not the party I belong to,” Carville remarked during the podcast. He believes, perhaps controversially, that it’s time for Democrats to address the concept of being “divisive.” “I truly think we need to have that conversation,” he added.
Avila Chevalier, at just 32 years old, is a community activist and self-identified democratic socialist. She won her primary against five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat by around 2,000 votes, as reported by Gothamist. Espaillat is known for leading the Hispanic Congressional Caucus. The remaining two seats were secured by Brad Lander and Claire Valdez.
💥New: James Carville: “I actually think it’s time for Democrats to talk about the S-word of ‘divide’… There’s some dynamics that can’t coexist… I’ve had enough… I don’t want to be part of a party that questions Israel’s right to exist.”
pic.twitter.com/O5ATLyvXwV— Jason Cohen🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) June 25, 2026
Instead of confrontations, Carville advocates for a respectful exit. “Let’s sort out how we can part ways. Maybe we can do this on good terms, but it’s clear it’s over. I don’t align with that faction anymore,” he stated on the podcast.
He further expressed strong feelings about certain foreign policy stances, drawing a firm line. “I refuse to be part of a party that does not acknowledge Israel’s right to exist,” he asserted, although he opined that questioning Israel’s governmental actions is valid.
Co-host Al Hunt cautioned that the primary winner could inadvertently aid the Republican Party, referring to them as “a great gift to Donald Trump.” He warned that a lackluster performance in the upcoming November elections might empower, as he described, “that group of crazy people” to undermine House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Carville emphasized a need for Democrats to consider whether they should accept Avila Chevalier in their caucus, echoing sentiments shared by Jamie Harrison, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, who suggested that candidates openly critical of the party should not appear on its ballots.
