"Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist representing parts of Ridgewood, Sunnyside and Long Island City in the State Assembly, has launched a campaign for U.S. Rep Nydia Velázquez's soon-to-be-vacant seat in Congress. Valdez, a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who has represented the 37th Assembly District since early 2025, announced her campaign to replace Velázquez early Thursday morning and is widely expected to pick up the DSA nomination in the race."
"A DSA candidate had long been expected to announce a run for the seat, with Valdez and Astoria Council Member Tiffany Cabán both reportedly expressing interest in running for a district that broke for Mayor Zohran Mamdani by 51% last year. Announcing her candidacy on Thursday morning, Valdez said her campaign was rooted in "labor organizing, economic justice and opposition to war and genocide.""
"Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, a progressive but more traditional Democratic candidate, had already launched a campaign to replace Velázquez in Congress. Both Reynoso and Valdez share a number of similarities; both are prominent labor organizers and both have described Israel's actions as a genocide. A former City Council Member, Reynoso boasts more than a decade of government experience, while Valdez has little government experience but is ideologically aligned with the DSA."
Claire Valdez, a Democratic Socialist and New York Assemblymember for the 37th District, launched a campaign for the soon-to-be-open U.S. House seat held by Nydia Velázquez. Velázquez announced she would not seek re-election after 16 terms and represented a strongly left-leaning district covering parts of North Brooklyn and Western Queens. Valdez is expected to receive the DSA nomination; her campaign emphasizes labor organizing, economic justice, and opposition to war and genocide. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has also entered the race; both he and Valdez are prominent labor organizers and have described Israel's actions as genocide. Valdez has less government experience but strong DSA alignment.
Read at QNS
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