The House's top Hispanic Democrat is in an "existential" fight for his political life

Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) is in what fellow House Democrats and other sources familiar with his race describe as an "existential" battle for reelection. Why it matters: The race embodies the Democratic civil war being waged across the country, with an establishment-aligned member of the party's old guard fending off a challenge from a younger leftist. Espaillat, a longtime fixture in Upper Manhattan politics, is touting support from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, as well as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). His rival, community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, is backed by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Justice Democrats and, most recently, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Driving the news: "I am so excited to be sitting here with Darializa and I am so excited to be endorsing her for Congress," Mamdani said in a joint MS NOW appearance with Avila Chevalier on Thursday evening. "This completes my congressional slate that I am so proud of," added Mamdani, who has also endorsed Claire Valdez in New York's 7th House District and Brad Lander in the 10th. Espaillat responded in a statement, saying Mamdani "is entitled to support the candidate of his choice" but that "one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do." What we're hearing: Espaillat is facing arguably his most serious reelection threat since joining Congress in 2016, with one Democratic source describing his race to Axios as "existential." A House Democrat told Axios that Espaillat "did hand me a floor card early on to ask for support," which caught their eye because the Hispanic Caucus chair had "never asked me for money." Another House Democrat said the widely held perception among members is that Espaillat may be in trouble, telling Axios the "polling is much closer than it should be." "He indeed has a tough primary," a third lawmaker told Axios. The int...

Original source: Axios