Overview
- Valdez, a UAW Local 2110 organizer and DSA member, announced a campaign to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in New York’s 7th District.
- Her operation is guided by close Mamdani advisers, with Morris Katz staffing events and Andrew Epstein advising communications and strategy.
- Valdez has applied for the NYC-DSA endorsement and is slated to appear at the group’s Jan. 14 candidate forum before internal votes.
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is also running and has early backing from local council members, while Velázquez has not endorsed a successor.
- Katz is also advising Brad Lander’s NY-10 challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman, pointing to a coordinated approach across multiple New York primaries.