NEW YORK — The Associated Press projects that Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House seat in New York’s 7th Congressional District.

Valdez, a New York State Assembly member and former union organizer, defeated other candidates including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in Tuesday’s primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., who held the seat for more than three decades. The heavily Democratic district, covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens, is expected to send Valdez to Congress in November.

A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Valdez campaigned on a platform that includes granting a pathway to citizenship and voting rights for undocumented immigrants, providing taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care and other transgender treatments, and establishing Medicare for All, which would eliminate private health insurance in favor of a government-run system.

Her campaign emphasized abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expanding workers’ rights through measures like the PRO Act, and addressing housing affordability by treating housing as a human right. Valdez has positioned herself as a fighter against “oligarchy, fascism, and war,” drawing support from labor unions including the United Auto Workers and progressive figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Valdez, 36, previously worked as a rank-and-file organizer with UAW Local 2110 at Columbia University. She won election to the state Assembly in 2024 representing a Queens district that overlaps with the 7th Congressional District.

The race tested the influence of the DSA and Mamdani’s political machine in one of New York City’s most progressive districts, often referred to as part of the “Commie Corridor.” Mamdani, a fellow democratic socialist, endorsed Valdez early and campaigned with her.

Critics have raised concerns about Valdez’s far-left positions, particularly on immigration, healthcare, and cultural issues, arguing they could further strain public resources and alienate moderate voters even in a safe Democratic seat.

Valdez is expected to be among the most left-wing members of Congress if elected in November. The general election outcome is not in doubt in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.

As reported by VINnews