WASHINGTON — Comedian Bill Maher singled out New York City congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier on Friday, portraying her as a leading example of what he described as the extreme edge of progressive politics.
Speaking on HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher criticized Chevalier over a series of left-wing positions, including calls to abolish prisons, borders and police departments. He argued that views like hers reflect a growing faction within the Democratic Party that could make him reconsider his usual support for Democratic candidates in future elections.
Maher pointed to an exchange with The New York Times in which, he said, Chevalier was asked whether a person who commits a random murder should be sent to jail. “Couldn’t get her to say yes to that,” he told viewers.
The host also referenced several of Chevalier’s past remarks, saying she has advocated for “no more police,” described veterans as war criminals and made inflammatory comments about Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.
“So there is a woke mind virus,” Maher said, “and I think we found patient zero.”
Avila Chevalier won last week’s Democratic primary against Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, whose district includes upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. She had the backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Before her primary win, Avila Chevalier removed some older social media posts that had drawn criticism. Among them were posts praising communism and one in which she claimed she wiped her dirty hands on an American flag because she could not find a napkin.
Maher made the remarks during a broader conversation with GOP Vice President JD Vance, using the segment to voice concerns about the direction of the Democratic Party’s left flank.
“If this is where the Democratic Party is going — this obsession with Israel, with the Jew-hating, they don’t believe in capitalism, no prisons. If this is where they’re going, my vote is in play,” Maher told the veep.
“Every year, I don’t make my decision by who has an R or a D. I actually always came to the conclusion that the Democrat was probably better and voted for them,” the comedian explained.
Maher has long considered himself a Democrat and more left-leaning on most issues. But he has grown increasingly frustrated with the woke and socialist left.
But he also told Vance that President Trump’s general denial that US elections are fair is a dealbreaker for him.
Avila Chevalier’s campaign did not respond to a Post request for comment Sunday.
