In the closely contested Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, far-left candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier has narrowed the gap with incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted June 9-11 among 468 likely Democratic voters, shows Espaillat leading by eight percentage points with 35%, while Avila Chevalier holds 27%. A significant 38% of respondents remain undecided as the primary approaches on June 23.

The district, which encompasses parts of Manhattan and The Bronx, presents a diverse electorate with varied support for both candidates. Avila Chevalier, who is endorsed by Mayor Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), leads among white voters, capturing 35% compared to Espaillat’s 25%. Conversely, Espaillat maintains a strong advantage among Black voters (36% to 21%) and Latino voters (42% to 30%).

Despite Avila Chevalier's gains, the poll indicates that some of the DSA’s policy priorities may not resonate broadly within the district. Approximately 72% of respondents expressed support for school choice and charter schools, and a similar share opposed efforts to defund the police. These findings suggest that Democratic primary voters in the district prioritize issues related to public safety, educational opportunity, and community stability over more controversial policy positions advocated by the far-left.

The poll was commissioned by Mercury Public Affairs on behalf of the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, a pro-Espaillat super PAC. The group plans to invest at least $500,000 in the final week of the campaign to bolster Espaillat’s reelection bid. Early voting began on June 13, with the primary election set for June 23.

As the race tightens, the high number of undecided voters leaves the outcome uncertain heading into the final days before voters head to the polls.