NEW ORLEANS, June 27 (DC Times Online) — James Carville said he can no longer stay in the same party as candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani and urged Democrats to consider a formal split after a series of New York primary wins by progressives.
On a Politicon podcast appearance, the veteran Democratic strategist said it was time for party leaders to talk about “the s-word: schism.” He added, “I really do,” and said Democrats should “negotiate the terms of a schism,” according to the remarks quoted in Fox News, Mediaite and Newser.
Carville singled out Darializa Avila Chevalier, who was described in the coverage as a Mamdani-backed Democratic congressional candidate. He said he could not be in the same party with her, and cited comments he attributed to her about interracial relationships, the American flag and the right of Israel to exist.
He also said candidates with those views should “start your own movement” or “form your own party,” and said there was “no place” for them in his party. The same coverage said Avila Chevalier won a Democratic primary in New York, while Claire Valdez and Brad Lander also won other primaries in the state.
Carville has been warning for months that Democrats are heading toward a deeper internal break. In a New York Times op-ed last year, he said the party was moving toward a “civilized civil war” and argued it was necessary, but should be delayed until after the 2026 midterm elections.
