Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn borough president, announced Dec. 4 that he is running for Congress in NY-7, the district represented by U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens). The longtime congresswoman recently announced she would retire at the end of her term in 2026.
Reynoso, a Democrat who was elected in 2013 to represent Ridgewood along with parts of Brooklyn in the City Council, won the BP post in 2021.
His campaign website for Congress states that he “remains committed to using every tool available to protect tenants and immigrants, combat the Trump Administration, support working families and make New York a place where everyone — regardless of background — has the opportunity to thrive.”
Reynoso is the first major candidate to announce a candidacy for the seat.
Other names being floated in multiple reports as considering a run include Councilmembers Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria) and Jennifer Gutiérrez (D-Brooklyn, Ridgewood), state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) and Assemblymember Claire Valdez (D-Sunnyside).
The New York Times reported that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has privately indicated to allies that he believes Valdez would be the best candidate for the seat, citing two sources familiar with his thinking.