Endorsement wars: Rep. Nydia Velázquez takes on Mamdani and the DSA
If you need Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s endorsement, it does not damage to run in opposition to somebody backed by the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. This 12 months, the retiring lawmaker has endorsed a half-dozen rivals to candidates backed by both the group or Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Here’s the full checklist to date.
Antonio Reynoso (in opposition to Claire Valdez)
This intraleft congressional conflict is the supply of the bitterness between Velázquez, who needed considered one of her political “children” like Antonio Reynoso to succeed her, and Mamdani, who as a substitute backed NYC-DSA’s personal Claire Valdez.
Rana Abdelhamid (in opposition to Diana Moreno)
In the particular election for Mamdani’s former Assembly seat, the mayor, NYC-DSA, the WFP and even the Queens Democratic Party all lined up behind Diana Moreno, whereas Velázquez was considered one of few elected officers to again Rana Abdelhamid. Dark easily won in February.
Carl Wilson (in opposition to Lindsey Boylan)
In the particular election to exchange state Sen. Erik Bottcher in the New York City Council, Velázquez (and most different elected officers) backed Bottcher’s most popular successor Carl Wilson, whereas Mamdani and the WFP went onerous for DSA member Lindsey Boylan, at the same time as NYC-DSA stayed out of the race. Wilson prevailed by nearly 20 points last month.
Brian Romero (previously in opposition to Aber Kawas)
In the race to succeed Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, who’s working for state Senate in Queens, NYC-DSA endorsed Aber Kawas, whereas Velázquez and the WFP backed González-Rojas’ former chief of workers and most popular successor Brian Romero. Kawas lastly jumped ship to a close-by state Senate race simply earlier than socialist standard-bearer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, endorsed Romero, all however signaling his victory.
Adriano Espaillat (in opposition to Darializa Avila Chevalier)
It’s in all probability no nice shock that Velázquez, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is backing the caucus’s Chair Adriano Espaillat over challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, who’s backed by NYC-DSA and the Justice Democrats.
Jasmine Sanchez (in opposition to Illapa Sairitupac)
NYC-DSA is backing Illapa Sairitupac to succeed Assembly Member Grace Lee in decrease Manhattan, whereas Velázquez simply endorsed former district chief Jasmin Sanchez.
