Claire Valdez enters race for New York's 7th Congressional District.

Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez announced she is running for New York's 7th Congressional District to replace Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and she will face Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary.

Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez formally announced her candidacy for New York's 7th Congressional District to replace outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Valdez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and is allied with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The 36-year-old former union organizer posted a launch video on X in which she emphasized labor organizing and opposition to regime change in Venezuela. The district stretches from North Brooklyn into western Queens and will be decided in a Democratic primary contest. Key facts: - Claire Valdez announced her candidacy to succeed Rep. Nydia Velázquez in New York's 7th Congressional District. - The article reports Valdez is 36, a former union organizer, and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. - In a launch video posted to X she pledged to prioritize labor organizing and to oppose regime change in Venezuela. - Valdez will face Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary for the district. - Mayor Zohran Mamdani has not officially endorsed a candidate but praised Valdez, and Morris Katz and Andrew Epstein, who worked on Mamdani's mayoral campaign, are reported to be advising Valdez's congressional campaign. Summary: The primary between Valdez and Reynoso will determine the Democratic nominee for a district that spans North Brooklyn and western Queens and may influence the district's emphasis on labor and foreign policy. Undetermined at this time.