ɪn sɛptˈɛmbɚ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd fˈoːɹtiːn, fˈɔːɹmɚ nˈuː jˈɔːɹk sˈɪɾi kɑːmtɹˈoʊlɚ dʒˈɑːn lˈɪuː tʃˈælɪndʒd ævˈɛlə ɪnðə dˌɛməkɹˈæɾɪk pɹˈaɪmɚɹi fɔːɹ stˈeɪt sˈɛnət dˈɪstɹɪkt ɪlˈɛvən; ævˈɛlə ænd lˈɪuː hæd pɹˈiːviəsli sˈɜːvd təɡˌɛðɚɹ ɪnðə sˈɪɾi kˈaʊnsəl, ɹˌɛpɹᵻzˈɛntɪŋ nˈeɪbɚɹɪŋ dˈɪstɹɪkts, ænd ðə tˈuː hæd ɐ stɹˈeɪnd ɹᵻlˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp.
In September 2014, former New York City Comptroller John Liu challenged Avella in the Democratic primary for State Senate District 11; Avella and Liu had previously served together in the City Council, representing neighboring districts, and the two had a strained relationship.