“Antonio has been a trusted ally of mine and the entire progressive movement, and he knows how to deliver,” Williams mentioned in a press release that name-checked Reynoso’s opposition to outgoing Mayor Adams and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “He is immensely prepared to continue Velazquez’s legacy.”
The endorsement might give Reynoso an vital enhance with left-leaning voters in what is anticipated to be a large open Democratic major battle within the closely Latino district that stretches from western Queens to northern Brooklyn.
Reynoso mentioned he’s “deeply honored to have the endorsement of this progressive champion.”
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the people in New York’s 7th congressional district are heard as we hold Trump and Republicans accountable for terrorizing our communities with ICE while giving tax breaks to billionaires,” he mentioned.
Reynoso, who’s serving his second time period as Brooklyn Borough President, is the one main candidate to throw his hat within the ring for the seat that has been held by Velazquez for greater than three a long time.
The son of Dominican immigrants from Williamsburg, Reynoso has been lining up help amongst institution figures within the NY-07 district however possible must shore up his left wing to win.
Williams is standard with progressives and ran dropping rebel races for lieutenant governor in 2018 and for governor in 2022, however he’s from East New York, comparatively removed from the NY-07 district.
Assemblywoman Claire Valdez and Councilwoman Tiffany Caban are among the many most distinguished native officers mentioned to be contemplating coming into the race. State Sen. Julia Salazar introduced she received’t be operating.
Valdez and Caban, each of whom are Puerto Rican, might vie for help from the Democratic Socialists of America, which might carry important weight in one of many deepest-blue districts within the nation.
The endorsements that can carry probably the most weight within the race will probably be that of Velazquez herself, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, together with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents a neighboring congressional district.
Velazquez, 72, plans to serve out the rest of her sixteenth time period in workplace however says she received’t run for reelection in 2026. Fondly dubbed “La Luchadora,” or the fighter, the trailblazing lawmaker was the primary Puerto Rican-born lady to serve in Congress.
