Tuesday Election Day: Four Candidates Compete In NY-7 Democratic Primary

Yisroel R.

Several primary elections are taking place today across New York, including congressional races drawing attention in Brooklyn.

One of the closely contested races is the Democratic primary for New York’s 7th Congressional District, where four candidates are competing for the nomination to replace longtime Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who is not seeking reelection.

The 7th District includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens, including Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Democratic candidates on the ballot are Vichal Kumar, Antonio Reynoso, Claire Valdez, and Julie Won.

Reynoso, the Brooklyn Borough President and a former New York City Council member, is one of the leading candidates in the race. He has highlighted his experience in city government, local roots, housing, public safety, environmental issues, and coalition-building across different communities. Reynoso has also received the backing of Velázquez as he looks to succeed her in Congress.

Valdez, a Queens assemblymember, former union organizer, and democratic socialist, is running as a progressive candidate focused on working-class issues. Her campaign has centered on affordability, housing, labor rights, healthcare, and taking on corporate influence in politics. She has been endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and has drawn support from the city’s progressive and socialist movement.

Won, a New York City Council member from Queens, has focused her campaign on care, affordability, housing, childcare, healthcare, and support for working families. She has also highlighted her experience representing Western Queens in city government.

Kumar, an advocate and lawyer, has presented himself as a candidate focused on immigrant families, tenants, working-class communities, and protecting basic rights.

The race has become part of a broader fight inside New York’s Democratic Party, with Reynoso representing a more established progressive lane and Valdez drawing strong support from the democratic socialist wing of the party.

Today’s primary winner will run in the general election in November. 

Polls are open today from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at regular polling locations throughout the district. Voters are encouraged to double-check their polling location online beforehand.