Progressives Split as Brooklyn Borough President and Socialist Lawmaker Clash in NYC Congressional Race
In a dramatic turn of events, the National Progressives have sided with the socialist first-term State Assembly member Claire Valdez over her progressive rival Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the highly contested congressional race for New York's 7th District.
The endorsement comes as the Justice Democrats, a group that has been instrumental in shaping the party's left flank, backs Valdez's bid to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in Congress. The move is likely to test competing visions for the future of the electoral left under Mayor Zohran Mamdani and will draw attention from the most influential figures in the Democratic Party.
Valdez, who launched her campaign last week alongside Mamdani and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, has pledged to reject corporate PAC money and center her campaign around her background as a labor organizer. Her opponent Reynoso, however, has been endorsed by prominent New York City groups and progressives, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Council Members Sandy Nurse and Lincoln Restler.
The two candidates share several stated policy priorities, such as Medicare for All, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and ending U.S. military support for Israel, but differ on their approaches to governing. Valdez has pointed out her early leadership on Palestinian human rights issues amid the genocide in Gaza as a key difference between herself and Reynoso.
The Justice Democrats' endorsement of Valdez is part of a national campaign by the group to end the Democratic Party's submission to corporate PACs and billionaire donors. The move is seen as a significant challenge to Mamdani's progressive allies, who have been critical of the mayor's decision to endorse Valdez in the congressional race.
As the primary election heats up, the battle between Valdez and Reynoso is set to draw attention from across the country. With millions of dollars at stake, this congressional race has the potential to shape the future of the electoral left under Mayor Mamdani and could have far-reaching implications for the party's internal dynamics.
In a dramatic turn of events, the National Progressives have sided with the socialist first-term State Assembly member Claire Valdez over her progressive rival Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the highly contested congressional race for New York's 7th District.
The endorsement comes as the Justice Democrats, a group that has been instrumental in shaping the party's left flank, backs Valdez's bid to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in Congress. The move is likely to test competing visions for the future of the electoral left under Mayor Zohran Mamdani and will draw attention from the most influential figures in the Democratic Party.
Valdez, who launched her campaign last week alongside Mamdani and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, has pledged to reject corporate PAC money and center her campaign around her background as a labor organizer. Her opponent Reynoso, however, has been endorsed by prominent New York City groups and progressives, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Council Members Sandy Nurse and Lincoln Restler.
The two candidates share several stated policy priorities, such as Medicare for All, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and ending U.S. military support for Israel, but differ on their approaches to governing. Valdez has pointed out her early leadership on Palestinian human rights issues amid the genocide in Gaza as a key difference between herself and Reynoso.
The Justice Democrats' endorsement of Valdez is part of a national campaign by the group to end the Democratic Party's submission to corporate PACs and billionaire donors. The move is seen as a significant challenge to Mamdani's progressive allies, who have been critical of the mayor's decision to endorse Valdez in the congressional race.
As the primary election heats up, the battle between Valdez and Reynoso is set to draw attention from across the country. With millions of dollars at stake, this congressional race has the potential to shape the future of the electoral left under Mayor Mamdani and could have far-reaching implications for the party's internal dynamics.
. Just when you think the progressives are united they go and split into different factions fighting each other. Claire Valdez just got endorsed by the Justice Democrats but now it's like, which team is the "real" progressive? Antonio Reynoso has some big-name endorsements too so who knows what's gonna happen at the end of the day. And let's be real, a congressional race in NYC with millions on the line is just gonna end up with more corporate PAC money than we care to think about 
This endorsement thingy just shows how fractured the progressive side is in NYC, you know? Like, they're already dividing over a congressional seat... what does that say about their unity strategy? Shouldn't they be all like "Unite! Elect [insert name here]!" instead of backing different candidates with conflicting visions? 
And let's not forget, this whole thing is also about the influence of corporate PACs and billionaire donors on the party. Mamdani's been a bit too cozy with the business crowd for my taste... maybe it's time for some real change in NYC? 
! Valdez' background as a labor organizer is super inspiring, and it's time we see more voices like her in Congress 
. It's interesting to see how the Justice Democrats are trying to shake things up by challenging corporate PACs and billionaire donors - hopefully this move doesn't alienate any voters 
. On the other hand, it's also great that Reynoso has been endorsed by prominent NYC groups and progressives - let's hope they can make their message heard too 
!
... progressives goin through so much drama right now! it's like they're tryna figure out who's got the real vision 4 the future 
but it's clear the justice democrats are tryna shake things up & push for change 
can't wait to see how this all plays out in nov 
I don't get why they're making such a big deal about who's getting endorsed by these groups. It feels like just another example of politicians using PR stunts to try and win votes instead of actually listening to their constituents and working on real solutions. 
. Can't we just have some genuine, nuanced discussions about these issues instead of getting caught up in party politics? 
.
. Has she actually thought through what it means to govern with a focus on labor rights? The more I read about her platform, the more I get that feeling of "cool, cool, let's do this"... but without seeing too many specifics on how she plans to make it happen 
.
. One thing for sure - this is shaping up to be a wild ride! 
️! So, I'm not really sure how to feel about this. On one hand, it's cool that Claire Valdez is getting some love from the Justice Democrats and that she's talking about making a real change by rejecting corporate PAC money 
Can't wait to see how this all plays out in November 
this is getting crazy... so now progressives are fighting among themselves in NYC? first-term rep Claire Valdez gets Justice Democrats' backing, but Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso still got some big name endorsements 
- it sounds like these two candidates Claire Valdez and Antonio Reynoso are on opposite sides of what a progressive should do? 
And let's be real, if a candidate can't even keep their own party happy 
, are we really sure they'll be able to work with the other side of the aisle? 
Mamdani's progressive allies are definitely feeling the heat from the Justice Democrats' move. 
i mean valdez has some solid points about labor rights and rejecting corporate cash, but reynoso's got some good cred too. can't wait to see how this all plays out at the primaries