Brooklyn BP launches NY7 bid while Queens candidates wait in the wings
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Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso announced a bid to run for Congress on Thursday. File photo via Brooklyn borough president’s office
By Ryan Schwach
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso announced his bid to succeed retiring Representative Nydia Velázquez in Congress on Thursday, making him the first major candidate to throw their hat in the ring to represent the Queens and Brooklyn district.
Reynoso has served as Brooklyn BP since 2022, and previously represented Brooklyn and Queens in the City Council. With the announcement, speculation began circulating around who else may jump in the race, with a few well-known Queens names in the mix including City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán and Assemblymember Claire Valdez.
Both Cabán and Valdez are members of the Democratic Socialists of America who have a strong foothold in the NY7, and are expected to put up their own candidate to succeed the trailblazing Velázquez.
While a prominent progressive, Reynoso is not affiliated with the DSA, and his candidacy is likely to clash with whoever the DSA – still fresh off the victory of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani – endorses for the seat.
Currently, Cabán, who has represented Astoria in the Council 2021, and Valdez, who has represented Long Island City, Ridgewood and Maspeth for less than a year, are rumored to only be considering a run.
Spokespeople for both officials declined to comment to the Eagle on Thursday.
Reynoso’s Council successor, Jennifer Gutiérrez may also be in the mix. State Senator Julia Salazar, also a DSA member, made it clear on social media Wednesday night that she had no intention of running for Velázquez seat.
Some reporting indicates that Mamdani and his allies are pushing for Valdez, who comes from a background in labor organizing.
Valdez was elected to office last year, following sexual harassment allegations levied against former Assemblymember Juan Ardia, whom Valdez beat in a primary along with Democratic Party-backed lawyer Johanna Carmona.
Mamdani was at Valdez’s Ridgewood victory party and is close with the assemblymember.
Reynoso launched his campaign Thursday morning with a video mostly in Spanish.
“No one can replace Nydia, but the fight must continue,” said Reynoso, recounting his childhood growing up in Williamsburg to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic.
Queens elected officials and members of the Democratic Socialists of America Assemblymember Claire Valdez and Councilmember Tiffany Cabán are also rumored to be considering runs for the NY-7. Eagle file photo by Ryan Schwach, Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
The Brooklyn BP, who succeeded outgoing Mayor Eric Adams in that role, pointed to his history of “investing in our communities” while in office, and blocking Adams as well as former Governor Andrew Cuomo while "building a legacy of progressive leadership that stood up for working families.”
“There’s much more to do,” he added.
Reynoso is close to Velázquez, and already snagged endorsements from some local elected officials, including Councilmembers Lincoln Restler, Shekar Krishnan, Jennifer Gutiérrez and Sandy Nurse.
The power vacuum in NY7, which includes large portions of both Queens and Brooklyn, comes after Velázquez, who is 72, announced her intention last month to not seek reelection next year.
She said she believed it was time for a new generation to take office. With the names currently announced and floated to run for her seat, she seems to be getting her wish.
Reynoso is 42, and Valdez and Cabán are both in their 30s.
