In which district is Darializa Avila Chevalier running for office, and who is her Republican opponent?
Darializa Avila Chevalier is running in New York’s 13th District, which covers northern Manhattan and the western Bronx. She is facing Republican candidate Jomo M. Williams on November 3.
Q&A ID 4655fa4e-35f6-4c96-92a7-c32c8cf0060d
What is the legal precedent regarding the House of Representatives' ability to refuse to seat a member-elect who meets constitutional qualifications?
In 1967, the House refused to seat New York Democrat Adam Clayton Powell over a scandal, but in 1969, the Supreme Court ruled that the House had gone too far. The Court established that if a member-elect meets the constitutional requirements of age, citizenship, and residency, the chamber cannot create new rules to exclude them. While the rule remains, former House aide John Feehery noted the practical limit is that the House cannot throw out every member they dislike, or the room would be empty.
Q&A ID cacc483e-fbaa-4ae2-b40a-a98e312a73f3
What other political actions and statements are associated with Darializa Avila Chevalier's record?
Chevalier was involved in the 2024 Columbia takeover and showed up at an anti-Israel rally the day after the October 7 attack. In 2020, she posted that the country was a disgrace and called Joe Biden a war criminal. Additionally, the New York Post tied her to an anti-Israel group that once stated it was fighting for the total eradication of Western civilization.
Q&A ID 7af4313d-df21-43b6-8e93-dca28c38c5f3
What are the political affiliations and stated beliefs of Darializa Avila Chevalier regarding socialism?
Chevalier is a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She defines socialism as the idea that working people should benefit from the wealth they produce and have democratic control over their work and lives. She points to Social Security and Medicare as existing socialist policies and has denied being a communist, though she has older posts on record favorable to Marxism and communist leaders.
Q&A ID 9b758a97-0e07-44ef-8b89-934b70950c10
What specific incident regarding the American flag led Tim Burchett to seek to block Darializa Avila Chevalier from being seated?
Burchett cited a deleted tweet from December 2019 in which Chevalier stated, “I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me.” Burchett expressed that the flag is a sacred symbol, noting that a 48-star flag in his office covered the casket of his uncle who died after being wounded in Normandy. He argues that her actions demonstrate she has already "walked away from the oath."
Q&A ID bc0ecde9-8474-4231-a8cf-9c2e49073fcd
What action does Rep. Tim Burchett intend to take regarding New York DSA nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier if she is elected to the House of Representatives?
Tim Burchett stated he will move in January to block Chevalier from being seated, regardless of whether Republicans hold the House. He intends to use Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution, which allows each house to be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. A majority vote can be used to refuse to seat her before she takes the oath.
Q&A ID 7c599322-d2a2-472f-be6c-0ef7796e46e0