Josh Shapiro Slams Socialist Democrat Darializa Avila Chevalier, Warns Of Fight For Democratic Party’s Future

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sharply criticized New York Democratic congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier on Sunday, warning that Democrats are heading toward a major internal battle over the party’s future direction.

Speaking during an appearance on CNN, Shapiro said he has “profound differences” with the self-described democratic socialist, who recently defeated longtime incumbent Adriano Espaillat in New York’s heavily Democratic 13th Congressional District primary.

“She’s not someone who seemingly I would agree with on many things or that we share similar values,” Shapiro said, while acknowledging that voters in her district ultimately chose her to represent them in Congress.

Chevalier’s victory has attracted national attention due to her support for a number of far-left positions, including abolishing prisons, eliminating ICE, opposing deportations, and other progressive policies that have sparked controversy well beyond New York City.

Shapiro argued that Democrats have not had a serious debate about the party’s beliefs and priorities in decades and predicted that such a discussion is now unavoidable as progressive and moderate factions compete for influence heading into the 2028 presidential election cycle.

Widely viewed as one of the Democratic Party’s leading moderates and a potential 2028 presidential contender, Shapiro suggested that the coming ideological struggle could ultimately strengthen the party by forcing Democrats to clearly define what they stand for.