Josh Shapiro says he has ‘profound’ differences with Mamdani-backed candidate
Josh Shapiro Highlights Ideological Divide with Mamdani-Endorsed Candidate
Josh Shapiro says he has profound - Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro, has voiced significant concerns about a candidate backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, emphasizing growing tensions within the Democratic Party as the midterms approach. During an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on Thursday, Shapiro noted his “profound differences” with Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old democratic socialist who recently won a primary election in New York.
Primary Contest and US-Israel Tensions
The race in Avila Chevalier’s district centered on the U.S.-Israel relationship, a key issue in Tuesday’s elections. However, Shapiro’s criticism extends beyond policy, focusing on the candidate’s stance on broader social and political matters. CNN’s KFile investigation revealed a deleted X account linked to Avila Chevalier, which featured thousands of posts advocating for the abolition of police forces, prisons, and borders, while also promoting the nationalization of key industries.
“Her district voted for her. But I have profound differences from that particular candidate based on the citations you read there,” Shapiro stated.
Pro-Palestinian Rallies and Criticism
Avila Chevalier’s position on Israel was further highlighted by her participation in a pro-Palestinian rally the day after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages. This event drew sharp criticism from politicians like Brad Lander, another Mamdani-backed candidate, who described the rally as “speaking about Hamas in ways I thought were vile” during a recent debate.
“Her district voted for her. But I have profound differences from that particular candidate based on the citations you read there,” Shapiro said.
Avila Chevalier’s Rationale and Campus Protests
Avila Chevalier, who led campus demonstrations at Columbia University against Israel’s policies in Gaza, argued that the U.S. and Israel share similar institutions that perpetuate violence. She cited instances where tear gas used in Gaza’s 2014 conflict mirrored its use against Black protesters in Ferguson, stating, “I’ve seen a lot of similarities not just in the way things are done, but also in the very institutions that are enacting that violence.”
She also defended her attendance at the October 8 rally, claiming it was to protest an “outsized reaction” to Hamas’ attack, which she believed could lead to “thousands upon thousands of deaths” in Gaza. Despite these views, Avila Chevalier ran as a Democratic candidate, with voters in her district choosing her as their representative.
Shapiro’s Vision for the Party
As Shapiro campaigns for reelection this fall and eyes a potential 2028 presidential run, he stresses the need for Democrats to unite around actionable policies. “What we need to do as a party is drill down on how we can take those words, turn them into action to make people’s lives better,” he said, noting that the party has not experienced such internal debates since the 1992 election, when Bill Clinton was nominated.
Shapiro, who identifies as Jewish and supports Israel, advocates for a two-state solution. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing faith and political identity, explaining, “I’ve been very open about how faith and family guide me in this life of service. I’m very open about who I am and what motivates me to serve.”
CNN has contacted Avila Chevalier’s campaign for further clarification. The candidate’s activism has sparked discussions about the Democratic Party’s evolving priorities, particularly as the nation grapples with issues of national identity and social justice.