Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris is set to endorse Assembly Member Claire Valdez in her bid to succeed Nydia Velázquez in the 7th Congressional District (NY-7), handing a significant boost to the Valdez campaign exactly one week from the Democratic primary.
Gianaris, whose Senate district overlaps with NY-7 and Valdez’s Assembly District, will make an official announcement in Sunnyside later on Tuesday morning and described Valdez as the “right person for this moment.”
“What Congress needs now more than ever is a fighter who understands that business as usual just won’t cut it anymore,” Gianaris said in a statement ahead of the official announcement. “Claire has been a powerful progressive voice for working people who doesn’t shy away from standing up to powerful forces who are hurting this country.”
Gianaris, who will not seek re-election in the 12th Senate District, has endorsed Valdez over Council Member Julie Won and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Valdez welcomed the endorsement and credited Gianaris’s record in office, noting his efforts to fight against Amazon HQ2 and his efforts to spearhead a fare-free bus pilot program alongside then-Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.
“As he ends one chapter of an extraordinary career in public service, his endorsement means everything to me,” Valdez said in a statement. “I’m ready to carry that work to Washington.”
Valdez has received a number of high-profile endorsements since launching her campaign at the beginning of the year, including from Mamdani and the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She has also received endorsements from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and several other elected socialists in New York City.
Valdez speaks after receiving an endorsement from Mamdani in January. Photo by Shane O’Brien
Mamdani’s endorsement appears to have caused tension between the mayor and Velázquez, who has endorsed Reynoso in the race and criticized Mamdani for wading into local politics. She also criticized the DSA for choosing candidates who have a “total disregard” for the history and culture of the communities they are running in.
All three candidates in the race lean left and present a united front on many issues, including opposition to federal immigration authorities and describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide. Valdez, however, is a movement socialist closely aligned with the DSA while both Won and Reynoso are more closely aligned with traditional Democratic progressives.
Valdez has consistently pointed to her roots working minimum wage jobs throughout the race and the experience of “feeling the squeeze at a grocery store.” She also pointed to her roots as a union organizer and standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” with her colleagues.
Reynoso, who was born in Brooklyn to Dominican parents, pointed to his working-class roots and his “lived experience” as a child who was “extremely poor.”
Reynoso, who was born in Brooklyn to Dominican parents, pointed to his working-class roots and his “lived experience” as a child who was “extremely poor.”
Reynoso, who was mentored by Velázquez, has picked up endorsements from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Attorney General Letitia James and a number of progressive City Council Members.
Won, who was a late entrant in the race, has picked up endorsements from State Sen. John Liu, Assembly Member Ron Kim and a number of AAPI representatives in Congress.