Claire Valdez
Valdez in 2025
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2025
Preceded by Juan Ardila
Personal details
Born (1989-10-12) October 12, 1989 (age 36)
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Citizenship American
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
Party Democratic
Other party
Democratic Socialists of America[a]
Education School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA)

Claire Valdez (born October 12, 1989) is an American politician and union organizer who has served as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 37th District since 2025, representing part of the Borough of Queens.[1] A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, she is the Democratic nominee for New York's 7th congressional district in the 2026 election.

Early life and education

Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Valdez moved to New York City in 2015 and lives in Ridgewood, Queens.[2][3][4] She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and Socialist Majority Caucus.[5] She is "a dual citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation and the United States".[6]

Valdez received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, studying painting and art history.[7][8] She worked a series of service jobs, including at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Trader Joe's, before moving to New York City to pursue a career in art.[6]

Early career

After graduating from college, Valdez worked as a program assistant in the visual arts department at Columbia University before beginning her term as an assembly member.[9][6] While working at Columbia, she became an active member of United Auto Workers Local 2110 and was elected unit chair in the local.[4]

In 2019, Valdez joined the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and went on to serve as the New Member Coordinator.[10] She has worked on many of the chapter's electoral projects, including Julia Salazar's 2020 reelection and Samy Olivares's 2022 campaign for New York State Assembly.[6]

New York State Assembly

In the 2024 New York State Assembly election, Valdez was a candidate in the 37th district. The incumbent, Juan Ardila, was seen as vulnerable to a primary challenge after two women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.[11] In the Democratic Party primary, Valdez defeated Ardila by 48 percentage points and moderate Johanna Carmona by 27 percentage points.[12] She was endorsed by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic Socialists of America, and the Working Families Party.[13][14][15] She ran unopposed in the November general election.

After launching her assembly campaign in 2023, Valdez called for a ceasefire in Gaza.[16] Upon her election, she joined New York State Socialists in Office.[17] She was arrested during a 2025 demonstration outside the offices of U.S. senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, protesting their votes against a resolution halting U.S. sales of arms to Israel.[18] She has sponsored the Not On Our Dime Act, first introduced by Zohran Mamdani during his term in the assembly.[16] The pro-Israel Solidarity PAC spent over $40,000 to oppose her 2024 candidacy for New York State Assembly.[19]

Valdez is a sponsor of New York For All, which bars the use of state and local resources in federal immigration enforcement actions.[20] On September 28, 2025, she was arrested while inspecting the facilities at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan.[21]

Amid the investigations into Mayor of New York City Eric Adams, Valdez publicly called for his resignation.[22] She endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the 2025 New York City mayoral election.[23] She was among the early supporters of his campaign and the only elected official present at his October 2024 campaign launch.[24]

2026 Congressional campaign

See also: 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 7

On January 8, 2026, Valdez announced her candidacy for New York's 7th congressional district to succeed retiring incumbent Nydia Velázquez.[25] In the primary, she faced Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso and New York City Councilor Julie Won.[26] The race was seen as a fight between progressives, who largely backed Reynoso, and socialists, who backed Valdez.[27][28][29] Valdez was endorsed by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senator Bernie Sanders, NYC-DSA, Justice Democrats, and the United Auto Workers.[30][31][32] Reynoso received the support of Velázquez, Working Families Party, and the majority of labor union endorsements.[29]

Valdez, along with fellow Mamdani-endorsed congressional candidates Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier, received outside support from the pro-Palestine super PAC American Priorities, which was created to counter the influence of AIPAC.[33] AIPAC did not directly involve itself in the campaign.[33]

Ony May 14, Valdez's campaign ratified a union contract under the Campaign Workers Guild, becoming the first campaign in New York to unionize during the 2026 election cycle.[34]

On June 23, Valdez defeated Reynoso and Won.[26] She is expected to win the general election, as New York's 10th district is considered a safe seat with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+25.[35]

Political positions

Environment

As a State Assembly member, Valdez was the primary sponsor of legislation to create a state office to coordinate environmental sustainability policies at the State University of New York.[36]

In January 2026, Valdez and then-Assembly candidate Diana Moreno wrote an op-ed calling for a $200 million commitment to public renewable energy in the 2026 state budget.[37]

Foreign policy

Israel and Palestine

During her State Assembly campaign, Valdez advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza and was a vocal supporter of justice in Palestine.[38] As an Assembly member, she sponsored the Not On Our Dime Act, which would prohibit New York nonprofits from supporting Israeli settlement activity.[16] During her Congressional campaign, Valdez was a strong critic of Israel, calling its actions in Gaza a genocide and apartheid and supporting the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York.[39][40][41]

Housing

Valdez has advocated policies including universal rent control, construction of social housing, and stronger tenant protections. To enact rent control, she has supported helping states build county-level rent boards to set rents.[42]

In the State Assembly, Valdez co-sponsored a bill to build and finance the construction of new social housing.[43] She supports the Homes Act, which would establish a federally backed development authority to build affordable public housing capped at 25% of a household's adjusted gross income.[44][42]

Labor

Valdez has advocated for significant labor law reform, including ending at-will employment, a federal job guarantee, and a four-day workweek.[45] She has also expressed strong supports for unions, saying, "We're going to prioritize rebuilding the labor movement and getting every single worker into a union. And that's going to be priority number one for me when I'm in office."[46]

Valdez supports the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would expand employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain.[47]

Healthcare

Valdez supports Medicare for All and transitioning to a single-payer healthcare system.[48]

Social issues

Immigration

Valdez has called for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, naming it as one of her day-one legislative priorities in Congress.[47]

LGBTQ rights

Valdez is a proponent of LGBTQ rights. She supports transgender rights, including funding for gender-affirming care and the adoption of a Transgender Bill of Rights to provide anti-discrimination protection based on gender identity.[49][50]

Electoral history

2024

2024 New York State Assembly election, District 37[51][52]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claire Valdez 4,075 58.6
Democratic Johanna Carmona 2,179 31.3
Democratic Juan Ardila (incumbent) 675 9.7
Write-in 21 0.3
Total votes 6,951
General election
Democratic Claire Valdez 26,527 77.4
Working Families Claire Valdez 7,766 22.6
Total Claire Valdez 34,293 98.5
Write-in 533 1.5
Total votes 34,826 100.0
Democratic hold

2026

2026 New York's 7th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claire Valdez 37,531 56.1
Democratic Antonio Reynoso 23,960 35.8
Democratic Julie Won 4,231 6.3
Democratic Vichal Kumar 1,134 1.7
Democratic Write-in 97 0.1
Total votes 66,953 100.0

Notes

  1. ^ The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are not a registered political party. Instead, they are a political organization for those with democratic socialist ideologies. Valdez is a member of, and is endorsed by, the New York City DSA chapter.

References

  1. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (January 8, 2026). "Can This Mamdani Ally Become New York's Next Socialist in Congress?". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Jefferson, Austin (January 17, 2025). "Meet the 2025 class of new state lawmakers". City & State. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  3. ^ Hogan, Bernadette (June 21, 2024). "Queens voters head to polls in Assembly District 37 Democratic primary". ny1.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Parry, Bill (August 30, 2023). "Ridgewood woman launches campaign to unseat scandal-scarred Assemblyman Juan Ardila". qns.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  5. ^ López⁩, Álvaro; Turner, David (October 16, 2024). "For A Fighting & Winning NYC-DSA". The Agitator. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Uetricht, Micah; Valdez, Claire (January 8, 2026). "Claire Valdez Is a Socialist and Union Organizer Running for Congress". Jacobin.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  7. ^ Bishara, Hakim (June 16, 2026). "Claire Valdez Wants to Be Your Artist in Congress". Hyperallergic.
  8. ^ "Erol Scott Harris & Claire Valdez: Pineapple Ribbon". The Visualist.
  9. ^ Freeman, Harper (July 24, 2024). "A worker first, unionist second, Valdez seeks Queens Assembly seat". The Chief. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Farghaly, Mohamed (March 19, 2026). "Claire Valdez Brings Labor Fight to Congressional Race". Queens Ledger. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  11. ^ Lewis, Rebecca C. (May 8, 2023). "Queens progressives look to primary Juan Ardila if he refuses to resign". City & State NY. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  12. ^ Krichevsky, Sophie (June 27, 2024). "Valdez wins AD 37 race by 27 points". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Parry, Bill (November 16, 2023). "Working Families Party endorses Claire Valdez in race to unseat Assemblymember Juan Ardila". Queens Post. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Andres, Czarinna (May 23, 2024). "AOC endorses fellow Democratic Socialist Claire Valdez for New York Assembly District 37". Queens Post. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  15. ^ Schwach, Ryan (June 11, 2024). "Ardila challengers split incumbent's former supporters as election nears". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  16. ^ a b c Sterne, Peter (March 24, 2026). "Pro-Palestinian PAL PAC endorses Claire Valdez for Congress". City & State NY. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  17. ^ Sterne, Peter (January 26, 2026). "What's a Socialist in Office?". City & State NY. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  18. ^ Stack, Liam; Schweber, Nate (August 1, 2025). "Gaza War Protesters Arrested at Offices of Schumer and Gillibrand". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  19. ^ Gelardi, Chris; Rock, Julia (June 6, 2024). "Pro-Israel PAC Floods Assembly Races With Cash". New York Focus. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  20. ^ "Bill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  21. ^ Sterne, Peter (September 18, 2025). "State and city lawmakers arrested at 26 Federal Plaza". City & State NY. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  22. ^ Sterne, Peter (February 14, 2025). "With Eric Adams refusing to resign, who is calling for him to be removed from office?". City & State NY. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Sterne, Peter (March 13, 2025). "Zohran Mamdani endorsed by (most) socialist lawmakers". City & State NY. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  24. ^ Schwach, Ryan (October 24, 2024). "Queens socialist pol announces bid for mayor". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  25. ^ Pretsky, Holly; Sterne, Peter (January 8, 2026). "Claire Valdez launches a bid for Congress staffed by Mamdani's consigliere". City & State. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  26. ^ a b Garcia, Deanna (June 23, 2026). "Claire Valdez wins NY-7 Democratic primary, Spectrum News says". ny1.com. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  27. ^ Wimbish, Whitney Curry (June 17, 2026). "In New York's 'Commie Corridor,' a Race Over How to Build Power". The American Prospect. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  28. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (June 1, 2026). "The Congressional Primary Tearing the Mamdani Coalition in Two". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  29. ^ a b Tarleton, John (June 11, 2026). "NY 2026 Democratic Primaries: Left vs. Establishment Divide Deepens". The Indypendent. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  30. ^ "Claire Valdez". Justice Democrats. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  31. ^ "Endorsements | Bernie Sanders Official Website". bsanders-astro.pages.dev. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  32. ^ O'Brien, Shane (January 9, 2026). "Mamdani, UAW endorse AM Claire Valdez for NY-7 Congressional seat". qns.com. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  33. ^ a b Goldenberg, Sally (June 23, 2026). "$50 Million Spent on N.Y. Primaries Includes A.I. and AIPAC Money". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  34. ^ Sterne, Peter (May 15, 2026). "Claire Valdez campaign staff unionizes – the first in NY this year". City & State NY. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  35. ^ "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)". Cook Political Report. April 3, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  36. ^ "New York A06348 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly". LegiScan. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  37. ^ "Hochul must embrace public power to ease energy costs". New York Daily News. January 10, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  38. ^ Lucas, Peter (December 9, 2023). "This Union Organizer Is Hoping to Expand Socialists' Electoral Stronghold in Queens". jacobin.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  39. ^ Way, Katie (June 9, 2026). "Assemblymember Claire Valdez is Running on 'Moral Clarity' on Israel and Gaza: 'So Many Democrats Stayed on the Sidelines and Said Nothing'". Hell Gate. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  40. ^ O'Brien, Shane (June 4, 2026). "NY-7 candidates take part in first televised debate ahead of June 23 primary". qns.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  41. ^ Stack, Liam (June 24, 2026). "NY Jewish Leaders Wrestle With Israel Critics' Sweep in Primary Elections". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  42. ^ a b Chang, Clio (June 24, 2026). "Why Claire Valdez Wants Universal Rent Control". Curbed. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  43. ^ Jefferson, Austin C. (February 6, 2024). "Lawmakers propose creation of state authority to finance and build affordable housing". City & State NY. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  44. ^ "U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Homes Act to Tackle America's Housing Crisis | Representative Ocasio-Cortez". ocasio-cortez.house.gov. September 19, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  45. ^ French, Nick (April 22, 2026). "Claire Valdez's Bold Program for Labor in Congress". jacobin.com. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  46. ^ City, Deanna Garcia New York. "What are Claire Valdez's priorities for Congress?". ny1.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  47. ^ a b "Claire Valdez puts union advocacy front and center in bid to succeed Velázquez in NY-7 – QNS". qns.com. January 28, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  48. ^ Valdez, Claire (May 31, 2026). "Why I'm running for Congress this year". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  49. ^ Mike From PA (May 15, 2026). Will Claire Valdez be the most Progressive in Congress. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via YouTube.
  50. ^ Swenson, Jacob (February 11, 2026). "Jayapal, Markey Introduce Landmark Trans Bill of Rights". Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  51. ^ "Primary Election 2024 - Democratic Member of the Assembly - 37th Assembly District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  52. ^ "General Election 2024 - Member of the Assembly - 37th Assembly District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
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