Velazquez endorses Reynoso as successor

Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., holds a protest sign with fellow Democrats as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Photo: Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP

BROOKLYN – LONGTIME U.S. REP. NYDIA Velazquez has endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso as her successor in Congress, reports the New York Times, praising the young progressive’s history of overcoming challenges and his work at upending the borough’s Democratic establishment.

The 32-year veteran congressmember announced last year that her current term in the House will be her last, clearing the way for a contested June primary race in the heavily Democratic NY-7 district, which comprises parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

Velazquez told the Times that she had initially planned not to endorse a candidate in the primary, but was swayed to back Reynoso after Mayor Zohran Mamdani threw his support behind fellow democratic socialist Assemblymember Claire Valdez earlier this month. The congressmember, a key early backer of Mamdani’s bid for office, said she believed the mayor has been too hasty to weigh in on other races and is risking driving a wedge between elements of the left. She also said she did not know if Valdez, who first took office last year, has adequate knowledge of the district.

“I am supporting Antonio because I know him. I know his heart. I know his record, and I know he is the only one in this race who has actually governed and delivered for this community,” Velazquez said.

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