NEW ORLEANS, June 27 (DC Times Online) — Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville said he cannot stay in the same party as Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Mamdani-backed candidate in New York, and called on Democrats to openly discuss a formal split.
Carville made the remarks on the Politicon podcast, according to Fox News, Mediaite and Newser. He said it was time for Democrats to talk about the “s-word: schism,” adding, “I really do.”
He also said, “I’m done,” and argued that candidates who do not share the party’s core views should “start your own movement” or “form your own party.” Fox News reported that Carville said people in that category should have “no place” in the party.
Carville’s comments were directed at Avila Chevalier, whom the coverage described as a union organizer and Democratic congressional candidate. In remarks quoted by Fox News, he said, “Lady, I ain’t in the same party as you,” and objected to comments attributed to her about interracial dating, Israel and other issues.
The remarks came after New York Democratic primary wins by Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez and Brad Lander, according to the published reports. The same coverage said Avila Chevalier unseated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Lander beat Rep. Dan Goldman.
Carville had already warned in a July 2025 New York Times op-ed, as summarized by the Washington Examiner and New York Post, that Democrats were moving toward a “civilized civil war” and said the split was necessary but should be delayed until after the 2026 midterm elections.
