James Carville has never been known for tiptoeing around a political fight, and if anyone thought the longtime Democratic strategist would celebrate New York’s latest round of progressive primary victories, they haven’t been paying attention.
Following Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier’s upset win in New York’s 13th Congressional District primary, Carville didn’t just criticize her politics—he questioned whether she belongs in the Democratic Party at all. During an appearance on NewsNation, he made it clear he believes the party has reached a point where it needs to decide who it actually represents.
Avila Chevalier, who was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has spent years working as a community organizer. She’s also drawn attention over past controversies, including reports that she helped found a college group that called for the “total eradication of Western civilization.” Those issues, combined with her progressive platform, have made her one of the most talked-about candidates to emerge from New York’s primary elections.
Carville wasn’t interested in softening his reaction.
While he brushed aside some of the panic over the election results by pointing out that the conversation revolves around just a handful of congressional seats, he drew a hard line when it came to Avila Chevalier.
“Two of ’em I don’t think are even Democrats,” Carville said. “This Chevalier lady, I don’t—they should not seat her in the caucus. Her views are totally against anything that any Democrats have.”
He continued by arguing that her political beliefs simply don’t fit within what he considers the Democratic Party’s identity.
“I don’t think there’s a place in the party,” he said. “I’m not, by the way, I’m not sure she wants to be a Democrat. Go do something else! Form your own party!”
That wasn’t the end of it.
NewsNation host Elizabeth Vargas brought up several positions that have been associated with Avila Chevalier, including calls to abolish ICE, eliminate police departments, stop deportations, and criticism of military veterans. Vargas summed up the moment with a simple question: “Who is this person?”
Carville’s response came immediately.
“She is not a Democrat, okay?” he said. “That is pretty clear, and frankly, I think a lot of Democrats feel like I do.”
Even though he joked that he’s “just an old washed-up consultant,” Carville said that if he had his way, she would not be welcomed into the Democratic caucus.
“I wouldn’t seat her! This is not who we are!”
He even suggested that if Democrats regain control of the House, lawmakers like Avila Chevalier could technically hold office while being excluded from committee assignments.
“We should just say, look, you’re duly elected, have your seat in Congress, but you would not be getting any committee assignments when the Democrats got the majority.”
From there, Carville shifted to what he sees as a broader issue inside the party. He questioned why candidates who disagree with so much of the Democratic platform continue to seek office as Democrats instead of creating a separate political movement.
“Why do you want to run as a Democrat?” he asked. “Start your own movement! If it’s such a powerful, sweeping movement that’s got more momentum everywhere, then go ahead, be at the head of it, don’t use the Democratic Party to advance it.”
The interview also turned toward rising tensions over Israel and antisemitism inside Democratic politics. Vargas referenced concerns raised by Rep. Dan Goldman and asked Carville whether anti-Israel activism within parts of the party poses a larger problem.
Carville said it’s important to distinguish between criticizing Israel’s government and rejecting Israel’s existence altogether.
“It’s disgusting, OK? And you’ve got to be careful not to conflate two things,” he said.
He explained that he has no problem with criticism of Israeli policies, including settlement expansion or military decisions made after the October 7 attacks.
“I have all the room in the world to criticize Israeli policies,” he said.
But he added that the line is crossed when someone argues Israel should not exist or directs hostility toward Jewish people as a whole.
“When you say ‘I don’t think Israel should exist,’ then I don’t have room for ya,” Carville said. “You’ve got no place at my table.”
As the interview wrapped up, Vargas contrasted what she described as the Democratic establishment with activists promoting slogans such as abolishing institutions and chanting “Free Palestine.” Carville didn’t hesitate.
“Insane,” he concluded. “I’ve got no time for these people.”
