The House's top Hispanic Democrat is in an "existential" fight for his political life

Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) is in what fellow House Democrats and other sources familiar with his race describe as an "existential" battle for reelection.

Why it matters: The race embodies the Democratic civil war being waged across the country, with an establishment-aligned member of the party's old guard fending off a challenge from a younger leftist.

• Espaillat, a longtime fixture in Upper Manhattan politics, is touting support from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, as well as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
• His rival, community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, is backed by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Justice Democrats and, most recently, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Driving the news: "I am so excited to be sitting here with Darializa and I am so excited to be endorsing her for Congress," Mamdani said in a joint MS NOW appearance with Avila Chevalier on Thursday evening.

• "This completes my congressional slate that I am so proud of," added Mamdani, who has also endorsed Claire Valdez in New York's 7th House District and Brad Lander in the 10th.
• Espaillat responded in a statement, saying Mamdani "is entitled to support the candidate of his choice" but that "one endorsement does not make a race. Voters do."

What we're hearing: Espaillat is facing arguably his most serious reelection threat since joining Congress in 2016, with one Democratic source describing his race to Axios as "existential."

• A House Democrat told Axios that Espaillat "did hand me a floor card early on to ask for support," which caught their eye because the Hispanic Caucus chair had "never asked me for money."
• Another House Democrat said the widely held perception among members is that Espaillat may be in trouble, telling Axios the "polling is much closer than it should be."
• "He indeed has a tough primary," a third lawmaker told Axios.

The intrigue: This is something of a role reversal for Espaillat, who got his start in federal politics by challenging former Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) in his 2012 and 2014 primaries.

• He was ultimately elected to Congress after Rangel opted to retire in 2016.
• Espaillat has also endorsed several primary challengers to sitting Democratic state legislators in recent cycles, often angering party leaders.

By the numbers: Pro-Espaillat groups are starting to spend big on the race — another indication the congressman's allies are taking Avila Chevalier's challenge seriously.

• Latino Victory Fund, a group co-founded by Eva Longoria to help build Hispanic representation in Congress, has put $475,000 into the race so far, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
• Another group with the same mission, BOLD America PAC, said in FEC filings on Thursday that it will spend at least $600,000 in the primary.
• In addition to Jeffries and the CHC, Espaillat has been endorsed by leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus.

The other side: Avila Chevalier's biggest outside backer is Justice Democrats, the left-wing group that helped fuel Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) rise. It is spending more than $250,000 on ads supporting her.

• "When we recruited Darializa to run in NY-13, she made it clear even then that she wanted to take Zohran Mamdani's agenda to Congress — for New Yorkers, for everyone," Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi said.
• "Now, the Mayor is going to make sure she beats the same political machine he did so she can get to Washington and fight for working families."

The bottom line: "Congressman Espaillat is proud to have the support of colleagues from across the Democratic Caucus who know his record, leadership, and effectiveness firsthand," Espaillat campaign spokesperson Reginald Johnson said in a statement to Axios.

• "He continues to enjoy strong support and collaboration from his colleagues in Congress and, more importantly, from the constituents he serves every day."