Mamdani’s pick set to replace Velázquez in House after New York primary win

New York Assemblywoman Claire Valdez is projected to win a competitive House Democratic primary in New York, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The 7th Congressional District primary was a bitter fight that divided voters in one of the city’s most progressive pockets.

Valdez was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America — while her primary rival, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, had support from outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D) to replace her in the seat that represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

The seat is wide-open after Velázquez, who in 1992 became the House’s first elected Puerto Rican woman to serve, announced plans to retire after more than a dozen terms in the lower chamber.

Along with the 12th Congressional District represented fellow New York Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is also retiring after more than three decades, it’s one of several seats at the center of conversations about generational change for Democrats in the Empire State.

The seat is considered solidly Democratic, putting Valdez on track to win this fall.

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Jerry Nadler

Nydia Velazquez

Zohran Mamdani

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