BREAKING, John:
Today, Justice Democrats is proud to announce our ninth endorsement of the 2026 election cycle: Claire Valdez in New York’s 7th congressional district!
Claire is a New York state assemblymember, a union organizer with United Auto Workers (UAW), and a Democratic Socialist. Her campaign is rooted in labor organizing, economic justice, and opposition to war and genocide — exactly what we need more of in Congress.
Claire came to politics through low-wage customer service jobs and the labor movement, not party machines or career ambition. As a worker at Columbia University, she joined UAW Local 2110, was elected to her union’s bargaining committee, and organized to democratize her workplace.
She was later elected to the New York State Assembly, representing part of New York’s 7th Congressional District in Albany, where she has fought to tax the rich, protect tenants, and lower the cost of living for working families.
Last week, Claire launched her campaign with a platform of Workers Deserve it All: Unions for All, Medicare for All, and Housing for All — paid for by taxing the wealthy and corporations that have rigged the economy.
She has also been an early and outspoken opponent of Israel’s assault on Gaza, becoming one of the first elected officials in New York State to call it a genocide and demand a ceasefire. Claire has vowed not to vote for another dollar in U.S. funding for Israeli apartheid, has organized elected officials to defend the right to protest, and participated in civil disobedience against U.S. government complicity.
NY-07 is one of the most progressive districts in the country, currently represented by progressive trailblazer and longtime Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who announced her retirement in November. This Democratic primary is our chance to build on Rep. Velázquez’s progressive legacy and keep this seat in the hands of working people instead of billionaires and corporate interests.
Plus, it’s an opportunity to build on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s resounding victory last year. He won this district by over 51% in the primary—his largest victory in any of New York’s congressional districts—and has already endorsed Claire!
Like every Justice Democrat, Claire isn’t taking a dime of corporate PAC money, so she’s counting on this progressive, grassroots movement to build the resources needed to win this competitive primary in June.
In solidarity,
Alexandra Rojas
Executive Director
