New York Assemblymember Claire Valdez, a self-described democratic socialist and ally of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has launched her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 7th Congressional District.

“I’m a union organizer, Assemblymember, and democratic socialist running for Congress in NY-07. I came to politics through low-wage jobs and the labor movement. That’s the perspective I’ll bring to Washington to take on oligarchy, fascism, and war — and win for working people,” Valdez announced on social media.

The seat she seeks is currently held by Representative Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic veteran who has represented the district since 1993 and recently announced she would not seek re-election in 2026. Valdez joins a growing Democratic primary field that already includes Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who declared his candidacy last year.

Valdez has established herself as a progressive voice in New York politics, taking strong positions on several key issues. She has vocally called for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), referring to it as a “militarized terrorist organization that is destroying our country” during recent public remarks.

“When we called this administration fascist last year, we were called hyperbolic. We were called hysterical,” Valdez said, doubling down on her immigration stance that puts her on the far left of the Democratic spectrum on this issue.

Her campaign platform emphasizes several progressive priorities. Her official campaign website advocates for Medicare for All, proposing to fund universal healthcare by “taxing billionaires and corporations that have rigged the system.” This position aligns with the growing progressive wing of the Democratic Party that has made healthcare access a cornerstone of their policy agenda.

Housing affordability, a critical issue in New York City, features prominently in her campaign messaging. “Housing is a human right — but Congress has chosen to side with landlords and speculators instead of working people,” her website states. “Claire will fight to guarantee safe, affordable housing for all, because housing is not a commodity. It’s a necessity.”

The NY-07 district encompasses parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens—areas facing acute housing shortages and rapidly increasing rents that have displaced many long-term residents. Her stance on housing reflects the growing concern about gentrification and affordability in urban centers across the country.

Valdez’s congressional bid comes as progressive candidates continue to challenge establishment Democrats in urban districts, particularly in New York City. This trend began most notably with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2018 upset victory and has continued with other successful progressive challenges in subsequent election cycles.

Her connection to Mayor Mamdani, who himself has been a prominent progressive figure in New York politics, may provide her campaign with important connections to grassroots organizations and potential donors within the city’s activist community. Mamdani, who took office as mayor in 2025, previously served as a state assemblymember representing western Queens.

The June 2026 Democratic primary will likely be competitive, as the safely Democratic district means the primary winner is virtually assured victory in the general election. Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso brings significant institutional support and name recognition to the race as Valdez’s opponent.

As progressive candidates have demonstrated greater electoral viability in recent years, Valdez’s campaign represents the ongoing ideological debate within the Democratic Party over issues ranging from healthcare and immigration to housing policy and economic inequality.

The primary contest between Valdez and Reynoso will test the political strength of the progressive movement in New York City and could indicate whether voters in the district prefer a more establishment-oriented approach or the more activist stance represented by Valdez’s candidacy.