Self-described democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democrat nominee for a New York U.S. House seat, should not be seated in the party's caucus if she wins, longtime Democrat strategist James Carville said.
Appearing Wednesday night on NewsNation's "Elizabeth Vargas Reports," Carville blasted Chevalier following her upset Democrat primary victory over Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District, arguing her views place her well outside the party’s mainstream.
"They should not seat her in the caucus," Carville said. "Her views are totally against anything that any Democrat has. We believe in pluralism."
Carville added that Chevalier "is not a Democrat" and suggested she should launch her own political movement instead of running under the Democratic Party's banner.
"All of these people hate Democrats," Carville said of democratic socialists. "Why do you want to run as a Democrat? Start your own movement.
"If it's such a powerful, sweeping movement that's got momentum everywhere, then go ahead and be at the head of it. Don't use the Democratic Party to advance it."
Chevalier was one of three left-wing candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to score major primary victories Tuesday, highlighting the growing influence of the party's progressive wing.
Carville specifically cited past social media posts attributed to Chevalier that criticized Democrat leaders, questioned the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, opposed interracial relationships, called for abolishing ICE, and included anti-Israel rhetoric.
"We believe in pluralism. She doesn't even believe in interracial dating," Carville said.
The veteran Democrat strategist also drew a sharp distinction between criticizing the Israeli government and questioning Israel's right to exist.
"You can be hugely anti the policies of the government of Israel," Carville said. "But when you say, 'I don't think Israel should exist,' then I don't have room for you."
Carville argued that while Chevalier and other democratic socialists are free to express their views, House Democrats should deny them committee assignments and refuse to include them in the party caucus if they win office.
"We just don't want to be in the same political party with them," he said.
Chevalier's victory has intensified debate over the Democratic Party's future after Mamdani-backed candidates captured multiple congressional nominations in New York, prompting fresh questions about whether democratic socialists are reshaping the party's direction ahead of the November elections.