Brooklyn and Queens are on high alert as a high-profile congressional seat up for grabs, with several heavy hitters backing a democratic socialist candidate. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain have thrown their weight behind Claire Valdez, 36-year-old state assemblymember from Queens, in her bid to replace Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
Valdez's chances just got a significant boost with the endorsement of two prominent progressive figures. Mamdani, who is also a democratic socialist himself, praised Valdez's background as a labor organizer at Columbia University and expressed his confidence that she would connect with voters in the predominantly progressive district. The mayor believes that a strong voice on labor issues is crucial, citing legislation to make it easier for workers to unionize and Medicare for All.
Fain, who heads the United Auto Workers, echoed Mamdani's sentiments, calling Valdez a "working-class fighter" who would take on the interests of billionaires and fight for the rights of ordinary people. This endorsement carries significant weight from labor unions and progressive groups.
Valdez faces off against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the primary, who has deep ties to the Democratic establishment. Mamdani acknowledged his respect for Reynoso but argued that this was an opportunity to shape the party's future without the influence of entrenched interests.
Valdez praised both Fain and Mamdani for their support, saying that it would help carry the fight forward in Congress on behalf of working people. With powerful endorsements like these on her side, Valdez is looking strong as she takes on this high-profile seat.
Valdez's chances just got a significant boost with the endorsement of two prominent progressive figures. Mamdani, who is also a democratic socialist himself, praised Valdez's background as a labor organizer at Columbia University and expressed his confidence that she would connect with voters in the predominantly progressive district. The mayor believes that a strong voice on labor issues is crucial, citing legislation to make it easier for workers to unionize and Medicare for All.
Fain, who heads the United Auto Workers, echoed Mamdani's sentiments, calling Valdez a "working-class fighter" who would take on the interests of billionaires and fight for the rights of ordinary people. This endorsement carries significant weight from labor unions and progressive groups.
Valdez faces off against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the primary, who has deep ties to the Democratic establishment. Mamdani acknowledged his respect for Reynoso but argued that this was an opportunity to shape the party's future without the influence of entrenched interests.
Valdez praised both Fain and Mamdani for their support, saying that it would help carry the fight forward in Congress on behalf of working people. With powerful endorsements like these on her side, Valdez is looking strong as she takes on this high-profile seat.
so there was this candidate claire valdez and she's literally a firecracker 
i mean she's got the whole labor thing down pat having worked at columbia university and all that jazz. and then mayor zohran mamdani gets on board with her because he knows how much she cares about workers unions 
it's like they're meant to be. and now the uaw president shawn fain is backing her too which is like a total game changer for labor groups everywhere 
i mean valdez is literally a working-class fighter 
who's gonna take on those billionaires and fight for the rights of regular people. she's got this 
- I mean, who needs a labor organizer from Columbia University in Congress? It's like having a teacher for the entire country. And what's with all these powerful progressive figures backing her up? They're just trying to prop up a novice politician and distract us from the fact that she has no actual experience in governance. Antonio Reynoso is gonna crush her in the primary 
, mark my words.
... If Mamdani and Fain are backing Valdez, that means they're basically saying the Democratic party establishment doesn't know best for Queens and Brooklyn 
... It's a pretty bold move to challenge the status quo like this. I mean, Valdez is already a state assemblymember, so she must have some decent credentials 
... But can she really connect with voters in this predominantly progressive district? 
... And what about Reynoso, the other candidate? Is he going down without a fight 
?
. But let's be real, we all know what happens when you put someone from the state assembly in Congress - more bureaucracy, less results 
. And don't even get me started on Valdez facing off against Reynoso in the primary... that's gonna be a total snooze fest 
.
... so many big names throwing their weight behind one candidate, and its not just about the name recognition either 
it seems like people are actually listening to what Claire Valdez has to say 
... i mean we know from the article that she's got a strong background in labor organizing, but still gotta wonder if this whole thing is gonna be about more than just being "pro-worker" 
and btw, does anyone else think its kinda interesting how this all played out with Reynoso having those deep ties to the Dem establishment 
I mean, Reynoso's got some experience under his belt, but Valdez seems like she's got a lot of momentum on her side. What do you think is more important: experience or passion in politics? 
.
! It's so cool to see progressive figures coming together behind Claire Valdez - I mean, who wouldn't want a strong voice for labor issues in Congress? 
. And let's be real, labor issues are so important right now 
. Medicare for All is no joke 
. Can't wait to see what unfolds! 
! It's amazing to see labor unions like the UAW backing her campaign too - it's clear that they believe she'd fight for real change in Congress 
And what about Valdez's stance on Medicare for All? Is it really that solid? 
. The fact that Mamdani and Fain are backing her is huge - it's not just about getting the democratic socialist vote, but also labor unions and progressive groups 
. Reynoso might have the establishment backing, but Valdez has the people on her side 
.
she's getting major support from progressive figures & it's only gonna boost her chances of winning the election! 
i love that shawn fain and mayoral zohran mamdani are backing her - they're speaking truth to power and fighting for labor rights 
I guess what I'm saying is, we'll have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out... or maybe that's just wishful thinking