Her victory, however, prompted quick pushback from some Democrats, including former national committee chair Jamie Harriosn.
"If you hate the Democratic Party, then please don't run for our nomination," he wrote on the social media website Bluesky. "Don't use our resources. Don't rely on our volunteers. Don't use our infrastructure. Don't ask Democrats to invest their time, money, and energy in your campaign."
Chevalier's victory, however, is the latest example of Democratic voters showing a willingness to embrace a candidate's message even if it comes with a chequered past.
Two weeks ago, Maine Democrat voters backed Graham Platner as their Senate nominee despite his inflammatory social media posts, Nazi-affiliated tattoo and allegations of menacing behaviour toward romantic partners.
In other races on Tuesday, however, more traditional, centrist Democrats prevailed – suggesting that while voters in places like New York City and Maine may be restive, the national trends are not as clear.
In Utah, Democrats backed former Congressman Ben McAdams for a newly created Democratic-friendly congressional district over more liberal alternatives. And in a Maryland seat outside of Washington DC, Democrats opted for a moderate candidate who endorses continued US support for Israel – a stark a contrast to the pro-Palestinian sentiment among many New York City's victorious candidates.
In November's midterm congressional elections, Democrats will have to win in battleground seats scattered across the nation – including some in the suburbs outside solidly liberal New York City – if they want to secure a majority. And the winners of those races will have politics decidedly different from the three Mamdani-backed socialists.
All this suggests a Democratic party still grappling with its identity and direction heading into November and on into the 2028 presidential campaign – a race that Mamdani, in endorsing the left-wing candidates, has said he hopes to influence.
"The old politics that got us into this crisis is not the politics that's going to get us out of this crisis," he said on Tuesday night, as he bounced between victory parties.
For one night, at least, the old politics – and the Democratic old guard in Washington – has been caught on its heels.