New DSA-backed lawmakers headed to Congress amidst controversy

At least six additional candidates endorsed by the DSA secured House races, including Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York, Melat Kiros in Colorado, Donavan McKinney in Michigan, Angela Gonzales-Torres in California, and Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania. They join a group of existing DSA-aligned representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, who have previously advocated for progressive policies.

These newly elected officials campaigned on platforms including universal healthcare, affordable housing, and the elimination of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, their past social media posts and public comments have sparked debate, with some calling for the abolition of police departments, the elimination of national borders, and a radical overhaul of the American economy.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District, faced criticism for now-deleted social media posts. A review by CNN’s KFILE revealed she responded to a user’s suggestion to soften a “Defund the Police” slogan by stating, “F you. We’re going to defund and abolish. You don’t get to water down our movements.” Other posts advocated for eliminating police and prisons, removing national borders, seizing private property, and nationalizing industries. Avila Chevalier has since stated she has “grown considerably” since making those posts. She also made a 2021 social media attack on then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Claire Valdez, who won the 7th Congressional District election in New York, also drew criticism for her social media activity. Jewish Insider published a screenshot of a post she liked shortly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which read: “Glory to the resistance and the people of Palestinian [sic].” She also participated in an interview with a Twitch streamer whose account had been suspended for antisemitic remarks. Valdez has expressed her desire to abolish ICE, arguing it would continue to expand without dismantling.

Melat Kiros, Colorado’s representative for the 1st Congressional District, has been vocal about immigration and foreign policy. In a March interview, she stated her desire to abolish ICE, attributing the agency’s creation to post-9/11 fear and Islamophobia. She controversially claimed the 9/11 attacks were “inevitable,” a statement she clarified was intended to highlight the conditions that lead to violence. This remark drew criticism from her primary opponent, Diana DeGette.

Chris Rabb, Pennsylvania’s representative for the 3rd Congressional District, expressed a differing view on the criminal justice system, advocating for the incarceration of “lawless MAGA thugs.” During a podcast appearance, he acknowledged the contradiction between his support for decarceration and his desire to imprison Trump supporters. He also engaged in a debate with Fox News host Sean Hannity regarding his views on policing, suggesting many police responsibilities could be handled by other professionals.

Donavan McKinney, who defeated Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s primary, defined politics as “the redistribution of resources” in a November interview with Jacobin. He argued that resources should be directed towards struggling Americans rather than foreign conflicts, referencing a lyric from Tupac Shakur.