Adriano Espaillat: Relationships
The Squadriano
Since being elected to Congress, Espaillat sought to build a network of Dominican American elected officials in and around his district, a group frequently dubbed the Squadriano, a portmanteau of his first name and the Squad . The network includes figures such as New York City Council member Oswald Feliz and reflects Espaillat's role as what political observers have called the dean of Dominican elected officials in the city . The Squadriano represented Espaillat's strategy of consolidating Dominican political power in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx .
Charles Rangel
Espaillat's relationship with longtime Congressman Charles Rangel defined a pivotal period in his career. Espaillat challenged Rangel twice, in 2012 and 2014, for the seat representing what is now New York's 13th Congressional District . Rangel narrowly defeated Espaillat by fewer than 1,000 votes in the first challenge, in an election marked by accusations that Spanish-speaking voters were improperly handled at polling sites . Espaillat lost again in 2014 . He finally won the seat in 2016 when Rangel retired, defeating Rangel's chosen successor, state Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, in the primary . The dynamic between Espaillat and the Rangel-aligned Harlem political establishment shaped district politics for more than a decade .
Keith Wright
Espaillat's rivalry with Keith Wright continued beyond the 2016 primary. Wright became Manhattan Democratic Party Chair and, in 2024, attempted to expel Espaillat from his role as district leader over allegations that Espaillat cheated his way to the position in a 2023 party vote . Espaillat sued Wright to block the expulsion process . The rivalry reflected broader tensions between the Dominican-led political faction in Washington Heights and the historic Black political establishment centered in Harlem .
Hakeem Jeffries
Espaillat was a close ally of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who endorsed him in the 2026 primary . The alliance positioned Espaillat within the mainstream Democratic leadership infrastructure and gave him backing from the most powerful House Democrat . Jeffries's support was cited by Espaillat's campaign as evidence of his effectiveness in Washington .
Zohran Mamdani
Espaillat's relationship with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani evolved dramatically over a short period. Espaillat initially endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 mayoral primary but backed Mamdani after he won the nomination . Mamdani then privately promised to support Espaillat's 2026 reelection, a pledge reported by The New York Times and Politico . However, Mamdani ultimately reneged on the agreement and endorsed Espaillat's challenger, Darializa Avila Chevalier, in a joint appearance on MS NOW in May 2026 . Mamdani's campaign did not comment on any prior agreement . Espaillat's allies described the decision as a betrayal, while Mamdani framed it as part of a generational shift in the Democratic Party .
Kathy Hochul and Letitia James
Governor Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James both endorsed Espaillat in his 2026 primary . Espaillat and Hochul jointly appeared at major events including the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment announcement in 2023, and Hochul was among the elected officials who participated in an anti-hate rally organized by Espaillat in his district . James's endorsement reflected Espaillat's ties to the broader New York State Democratic establishment .
Nydia Velazquez
Espaillat's relationship with retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was one of mutual support. Velazquez, the longest-serving Latina in Congress, endorsed Espaillat in 2026 . The two had worked together on immigration issues, including a June 2025 attempt to inspect a federal detention center in Manhattan, where they were initially denied access by ICE .
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Espaillat rose through the leadership ranks of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus over his five terms. He served as Freshman Representative, Deputy Chair, and Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute before being unanimously elected Chairman of the CHC itself in November 2024 25. He was the first Dominican American and first Black member to chair the caucus . During his chairmanship, the caucus and its affiliated organizations invested heavily in his 2026 reelection, with BOLD PAC spending $230,000 and Latino Victory Fund contributing $750,000 .
Congressional Black Caucus
Despite representing a district that had historically been a center of Black political power, Espaillat earned the endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus in his 2026 primary over his Black primary challenger . Political observers noted that Espaillat had worked to build cross-racial coalitions since taking office, reflected in his campaign events alongside Black political leaders in Harlem .
Labor Unions
Espaillat had strong labor backing, including endorsements from the state AFL-CIO and some of the city's largest labor unions . District Council 37, New York City's largest public sector employee union, was an early supporter of his state legislative campaigns .