Chevalier’s campaign focused on progressive organizing, grassroots activism, and support from left-wing political networks that have steadily expanded their influence throughout New York City. Her victory now places one of the Democratic Socialists of America’s most outspoken members on track to represent one of the safest Democratic districts in the country.
The district, which includes portions of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, has historically voted overwhelmingly Democratic, making Chevalier the overwhelming favorite heading into the general election.
But as attention shifts toward November, Chevalier’s past statements and social media activity are already receiving renewed scrutiny.
One resurfaced post from 2019 has drawn particular attention.
In the now-deleted message, Chevalier joked about wiping her hands on an American flag after forgetting napkins.
“I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me,” she wrote in the post, followed by a smiling emoji.
The remark has been widely circulated by critics who argue it reflects a broader hostility toward traditional American symbols.
Additional social media posts from previous years have also resurfaced, highlighting positions that have fueled criticism from conservatives.
During the nationwide unrest that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020, Chevalier responded to questions about the “defund the police” movement by making her position unmistakably clear.
According to archived posts, she wrote that her goal was to “defund and abolish” policing altogether, later explaining that this meant “ending policing full stop. Period. No more police at all ever.”
Her comments on immigration have proven equally controversial.
Chevalier has argued that “all deportations are wrong,” regardless of whether an individual entered the country illegally or has committed criminal offenses. Earlier online posts have also expressed support for eliminating national borders, abolishing prisons, nationalizing major industries, and embracing the concept of workers seizing the means of production.
In more recent interviews, Chevalier has suggested that some of her earlier online rhetoric no longer reflects the primary focus of her campaign, while maintaining that her underlying values remain consistent.
Her victory represents just one piece of a much larger political shift taking place inside New York’s Democratic Party.
Chevalier was one of three congressional candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani who defeated incumbent or establishment Democrats during Tuesday’s primaries. Brad Lander knocked off Representative Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District, while Claire Valdez captured the open seat in the 7th District.
The coordinated victories underscore the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s socialist movement, particularly in New York City, where grassroots activists have increasingly challenged longtime party leaders.
For Republicans, the results are likely to become campaign material heading into the midterm elections, as they argue that the Democratic Party continues moving further to the left by elevating candidates who have previously embraced calls to abolish police departments, eliminate borders, and nationalize private industries.
With New York’s heavily Democratic congressional districts expected to remain safely in Democratic hands this November, Tuesday’s primaries may ultimately prove to be the contests that determine who will serve in Congress.
Now, political observers across the country will be watching whether Chevalier’s past remarks—and her unapologetic embrace of democratic socialism—become a defining issue as she prepares to join Washington’s newest class of lawmakers.
