Still reeling from their leader’s electoral defeat earlier this week, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are warily preparing to welcome his successor — with some conditions.
Darializa Avila Chevalier — a democratic socialist who ousted Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat in Tuesday’s New York primary and is expected to win the general election — plans to join the coalition currently composed of 42 Democrats across the party’s ideological spectrum.
“ICE kidnappings have sent school absenteeism rates skyrocketing across New York City since immigrant parents are too afraid to send their children to school,” Avalia Chevalier said in a statement Thursday. “I’m proud to join the CHC on Day One in office and stand alongside Latino leaders to fight back, push a bold agenda for our families and make sure NY-13’s voice is heard.“
The Hispanic Caucus is expected to be at the center of consequential policy fights in the next Congress as Democrats continue to battle the Trump administration on any number of fronts, including immigration. If Democrats take the majority, the CHC will look to assert its agenda even further, including by seeking to influence the likely speaker, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
But CHC members will demand that Avila Chevalier be a team player. Notwithstanding that she is coming into Congress having taken out a beloved incumbent, she has embraced positions during the campaign, and earlier on social media, that put her at odds with even some of her more liberal future colleagues.
She has, for instance, called for the abolition of Israel as well as all forms of policing, borders and private property.
“If she joins and is aligned with all our priorities and all our legislative programs, we would welcome her,” said Hispanic Caucus Whip Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas).
Some leading CHC members hope Avila Chevalier will be a productive contributor.
“The more voices that we have, the better and stronger both our larger caucus and the CHC is,” said caucus policy Vice Chair Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.).
Should she be turned away from joining the Hispanic Caucus, though, there would be some precedent.
Espaillat himself tried to join the Congressional Black Caucus after running against a founding member, the late-Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel, in 2012 and 2014. When Rangel retired in 2016, Espaillat ran for the seat a third time — against Rangel’s preferred successor. When Espaillat prevailed, the CBC denied his attempt to join their ranks.
The all-Democratic CHC also previously denied a lawmaker from joining the group in 2017: Then-Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Florida Republican who was locked in a longstanding feud with the group.
Current members aren’t expecting any similar fireworks with Avila Chevalier. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) — the chair of BOLD PAC, the CHC’s campaign arm — said in a Tuesday statement that “Democrats win when we move forward together.”
“Our commitment is to continue the work Adriano has led with the same energy and determination,” Sanchez continued, “and we look forward to standing with Darializa Avila Chevalier in the fight ahead.”
Progressive Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said “it would be a shame if there are members of Congress who can’t see past respecting a democratic process of an election and not welcome her. I certainly will, and I’m going to do everything in my power over the next six months to help her prepare.”
But Espaillat, when asked Thursday whether he thinks Avila Chevalier should be a part of the CHC, would only say, “That’s another question. I’ll answer it next week.”
Though he won’t have a vote in Congress next year to deny her entry, the decade-long House veteran is respected by his colleagues and considered a mentor to many CHC members, and loyalty could play a role in how Avila Chevalier is received inside the caucus.
“It’s a real loss,” said former Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) of Espaillat’s departure.
The Hispanic Caucus, meanwhile, will not only be contending with a new, potentially polarizing member, but having to select a chair for the next Congress; though CHC chairs typically only serve one term, there won’t be an immediate predecessor close by to ease the transition.
Multiple Hispanic Caucus members said this week they expect the current vice chair, Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), to ascend. However, several CHC Democrats also acknowledged that Soto is facing a challenging reelection bid in his newly redrawn district, which could render a potential promotion moot.
Other senior members of CHC leadership include Menendez; Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), who serves as vice chair of communications; and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), the current vice chair of engagement.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) is also a member of CHC leadership, but he was previously the chair. Garcia, the whip, said she isn’t interested in the caucus’ top spot.
At least one former chair, retiring Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), said he hopes the group embraces the CHC’s next generation of members.
“All of the incoming members should be welcomed there,” he said. “The reality is that they will be a part of this new leadership. They represent the popular will in those districts, and they need to be incorporated as much as possible into the process.”
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