Assemblywoman Claire Valdez Thursday picked up the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary for the NY-07 congressional seat held by Rep. Nydia Velazquez.
The progressive lawmaker joined Mayor Mamdani in backing Valdez, a former union organizer and low-wage worker, over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the deep-blue district’s June 23 primary election.
“Claire has the experience and vision we need to take on the oligarchy and fight for unions, Medicare for All, and affordable housing,” Sanders said. “In my view, Congress needs more voices who come from America’s working class. I’m proud to endorse her campaign for Congress.”
Valdez, who like Sanders calls herself a democratic socialist, credited Sanders with inspiring her to get into politics.
“Three things made me a democratic socialist: low-wage jobs, the labor movement and Bernie Sanders’ runs for president,” said Valdez, 36. “His political revolution changed my life.”
Valdez also announced that her campaign raised $750,000 from mostly grassroots donors in the first quarter of 2026, which ended Tuesday.
Her campaign said it netted the cash from more than 11,000 donors, with an average contribution of about $50. She vows not to take funds from corporate entities or political action committees.
Reynoso’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to questions about his Q1 fundraising numbers.
He boasts the endorsement of Velazquez to succeed her after more than three decades representing the district that snakes through parts of northern Brooklyn and western Queens, along with the Working Families Party and several powerful Democratic lawmakers.