Mamdani endorses DSA ally in race for Brooklyn-Queens congressional seat

Mamdani and UAW Chief Endorse Democratic Socialist for Brooklyn-Queens Congressional Seat.

In a significant boost to his own campaign, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has publicly endorsed Claire Valdez, a 36-year-old state assemblymember from Queens. The backing comes with a powerful endorsement from United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, who also plans to appear with Valdez at an upcoming event in Brooklyn.

Valdez, the Democratic Socialist-backed candidate, is set to face off against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in a primary battle for the congressional seat now vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez. The seat has long been associated with progressive values and has been represented by Velázquez, a trailblazing Puerto Rican leader who stepped down to pave the way for younger leaders.

According to Valdez's supporters, Mamdani's endorsement highlights his commitment to organizing pro-labor movements. "I truly believe that we need a labor organizer in Congress," the mayor said in an interview with Gothamist. He expressed confidence that Valdez would connect with voters in the district, which has been at the forefront of progressive activism.

Fain echoed this sentiment, calling Valdez a "working-class fighter who will take on the billionaire class and take back what's ours." The UAW chief's backing serves as a significant endorsement from the labor establishment, adding weight to Valdez's campaign.

Valdez praised both Fain and Mamdani for their dedication to organizing pro-labor movements. "The mayor's support will help us carry that fight forward in Congress for working people," she said in a statement.

As the primary battle approaches, Valdez faces a challenge from Reynoso, a progressive with ties to the Democratic establishment. The endorsement from two prominent figures on the left suggests that the contest may be more competitive than initially anticipated. With Mamdani's backing and Fain's support, Valdez is well-positioned to present herself as a champion of progressive values and pro-labor policies.

However, with his own ambitions likely influenced by the outcome, Mamdani's endorsement also serves as a test of the Democratic Socialists of America's influence in New York politics. The candidate's willingness to endorse Valdez – who has been his earliest mayoral campaign supporter – demonstrates a growing alignment between progressive politicians and labor leaders.

Ultimately, the primary battle in Brooklyn-Queens will shape not only Valdez's prospects but also the future direction of the Democratic Party in New York. As the contest unfolds, it remains to be seen how these endorsements will impact the outcome and the broader implications for American politics.
 
I'm loving this news 🤩! It's so great to see a young woman like Claire Valdez getting all that support from high-profile figures like Mayor Mamdani and Shawn Fain. It just goes to show that progressive values are really resonating with people right now.

And I have to say, it's also pretty interesting to see how the Democratic Socialists of America is making waves in New York politics. It's clear that they're not just a fringe group anymore - they're becoming a major player. For me as a parent, it's awesome to see more and more politicians standing up for working-class families like mine.

The thing that really gets me excited is the idea that Claire Valdez could be a champion for pro-labor policies in Congress 🌟. That would make such a big difference for my kids' future - they deserve better than just the status quo. I'm rooting hard for her, and I hope she can bring about real change! 👏
 
omg i'm so hyped about this 🤩 Claire Valdez is literally giving me LIFE 🌟 with all those big-name endorsements from labor leaders and politicians! It's like she's got the whole progressive thing on lock 🔒 I mean, who wouldn't want to work for someone who's all about pro-labor movements and fighting for the little guy? 💪 especially with Mamdani and Fain backing her up, it's clear that Valdez is the real deal 🙌 I'm rooting for her all the way 🤗
 
Mamdani's endorsement of Claire Valdez is a big deal 💼👥. It shows that even a mayor with progressive values can back a candidate who embodies those same principles, but also has labor backing. Fain's support adds another layer to the endorsement - it's not just about politics, it's about people like him, who are part of the community and care about its struggles 🤝.

What I find interesting is that Valdez is now in a tough spot - she needs to win over both the labor establishment (Fain) and the progressive wing of the party. It's going to be an intense primary battle, but if anyone can do it, she might just be the one 💪.

As for Mamdani's test, I think he's showing that his party is growing stronger in NYC 📈. They're not afraid to back candidates who will carry on their progressive agenda, even if it means taking a risk. Will this endorsement help Valdez win? Only time will tell ⏰.
 
🚨💔 So I guess a 36-year-old state assemblymember just got endorsed by a mayor and a labor chief, which is pretty cool I guess... but let's not get too excited. The thing is, this seat has been all about progressive values for years, so it's not like Valdez is breaking new ground or anything. And have you seen the polls? Reynoso still looks like he's got a good shot at winning. Not to mention, this whole thing might be about Mamdani trying to get on the Democratic Socialist bandwagon and see where it takes him... 🤔😬
 
🤔 I think this is a big deal for Claire Valdez's campaign, you know? Having Mayor Mamdani and Shawn Fain on board is like getting a golden ticket 🎉. It shows that they're serious about fighting for working-class people and taking on the powers that be. And let's be real, it's not just about Valdez – this endorsement also speaks to the growing influence of democratic socialists in New York politics.

As someone who's been around for a while, I've seen how politicians can get stuck in their ways, but these two are showing some serious chops 💪. Mamdani's willingness to endorse Valdez, despite his own ambitions, is telling. And Fain's support from the UAW is no joke – that's like getting a seal of approval from one of the most powerful labor unions out there.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out in the primary battle, though. Antonio Reynoso has been building some momentum on his own, and he's got some serious progressive cred 💼. This might just get messy 🔥. But overall, I think Valdez is looking strong 🙌.
 
I'm skeptical about this endorsement thingy... I mean, I get that Mamdani and Fain are trying to make a point, but is it gonna translate to actual votes? We've seen plenty of endorsements that don't necessarily lead to more supporters. And what's with Valdez being a democratic socialist again? Is she really gonna be able to connect with voters in the district who aren't already on the left side of the aisle? I'm not saying she won't do well, but I think we need to keep our expectations in check 🤔
 
😒 The thing is, I don't think Mamdani endorsing Valdez is that big of a deal. I mean, we already knew he was backing her, right? And what's up with Fain's endorsement? Is this some kind of PR stunt to boost his own reputation as a labor leader? 🤑 I'm not saying it can't be helpful for Valdez's campaign, but let's not get too carried away here. And by the way, isn't Reynoso just going to shift into "moderate" mode now that Fain is endorsing him? 😏 It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out in the primary.
 
This whole thing feels like a big deal because Mamdani is throwing his support behind Valdez. I mean he's not just any candidate, she's got experience and all that jazz. The UAW chief backing her up is also huge, it shows they're serious about pro-labor policies. What I don't get is why Reynoso thinks he can take on Valdez? He's got the establishment support but so does Valdez with these high-profile endorsements. It's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out in Brooklyn-Queens, the outcome will probably set a precedent for other progressive candidates.
 
omg u guys i am literally so hyped about claire valdez's campaign!! 😍 she's been my girl since she was on stage at the democrats' last convention 🤩 and now she's got mamdani and fain backing her up!!! 💪 that's like, major credibility right there!!! i'm low-key worried that antonio reynoso might try to steal her thunder tho 😬 but valdez is all about connecting with voters and fighting for the people 🙌 fingers crossed she wins this thing and we get another pro-labor rep in congress!!! 💕
 
.. think about this, Mamdani endorsing Claire Valdez is like a big thumbs up from the left side... but at the same time, it's also kinda awkward because Valdez has been his campaign supporter since day one 🤔. I mean, what's the real motive here? Is he just trying to boost her campaign or is this really about aligning with the labor establishment?

And let's be real, Shawn Fain's endorsement is like a big ol' stamp of approval from the UAW... but it also raises some questions. Is Valdez truly a "working-class fighter" or is she just using that as a buzzword to get elected? 🤷‍♂️ I'm not saying she can't be, but we need more than just words to back up those claims.

It's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out... especially with the primary battle approaching. Will Valdez be able to stand on her own two feet or will these endorsements carry her through? Only time will tell 🕰️.
 
🤯 The Democrats are getting serious about organizing pro-labor movements, and it shows with this endorsement! 🚂 Mamdani's backing of Claire Valdez is a big deal, especially since they've been close allies in the past. This move is gonna make Valdez super formidable in that primary, and who knows, maybe she'll even pull off an upset against Reynoso 🤔. The UAW chief Shawn Fain adding his weight to the campaign is also no joke – it's like a one-two punch for pro-labor candidates everywhere 💪.
 
🤔 Mamdani and Fain endorsing Claire Valdez is kinda interesting... I mean, they're both pro-labor and all that jazz, but let's get real, this whole thing feels like a power play for the DSofA in NY. Like, if Valdez wins, it's gonna be a major win for them, and if she loses, well, that's not great either. 😐 I'm not saying they're wrong to support her or whatever, but it's just nice to see the bigger picture here... 👀
 
omg I'm still trying to figure out this whole democratic socialist thing 🤔... like what even is that? Mamdani endorsing Claire Valdez sounds cool tho, but what's up with all these big names supporting her? Shawn Fain from UAW and Zohran Mamdani, mayor of Brooklyn-Queens... it feels like they're all in on the same thing 😅. And honestly, I still don't really get why politicians do endorsements like that - can't they just be their own people or something? 🤷‍♀️
 
I'm loving this endorsement situation 🤩 Mamdani and Fain are totally on board with Valdez's pro-labor agenda, which is exactly what we need in Congress! 👏 As a DIYer, I've seen firsthand how labor organizing can make a real difference in people's lives. It's awesome that Valdez is bringing this expertise to the table.

I'm also intrigued by the potential alignment between progressive politicians and labor leaders 🤝 This could be a game-changer for the Democratic Party in New York. As someone who's always been passionate about DIY solutions, I believe that working together and supporting each other can lead to some amazing things 💡

One thing that's got me thinking is how Valdez plans to tackle issues like income inequality and corporate influence 🤔 These are massive challenges, but if she can bring a labor perspective to the table, I think we might just see some real progress. Fingers crossed for her campaign! 👍
 
I THINK IT'S AMAZING THAT MAMDANI IS ENDORSING VALDEZ!!! IT SHOWS HE'S REALLY COMMITTED TO HELPING THE WORKING CLASS AND FIGHTING FOR PROGRESSIVE VALUES IN CONGRESS 🤩💪. I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT A CANDIDATE WHO'S ALL ABOUT TAKING ON THE BILIONAIRE CLASSES AND FIGHTING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE? 💸👊. AND WITH SHAWN FAIN ON BOARD, THAT'S LIKE A DOUBLE ENDORSEMENT - IT MUST BE REALLY CONFIDENT THEY'RE GONNA WIN THIS THING 🙌!
 
I feel like we're living in a crazy time in NYC pols 🤯 Mamdani endorsing Valdez is a big deal, especially with Fain on board 🚂💪 I mean, it's not every day you see two influential figures from different camps coming together behind the same candidate. What's up with that? 🤔 Is this a sign of some bigger shift in NY politics?

I'm intrigued by the dynamic between Valdez and Reynoso - two progressive candidates on opposite sides of the aisle 🤝 Can we expect to see some intense debating or will they both tone it down for the sake of unity? 💭

The labor movement backing Valdez is a huge win for workers everywhere 💼👏 Fain's endorsement means that unions are getting more involved in politics, which should be awesome for those advocating for better working conditions 🌟 What's next? Will we see more labor leaders jumping into the mix?

Mamdani's also gotta be thinking about his own future ambitions 🤔 Is this endorsement a calculated move to build momentum for his own campaign or is he genuinely passionate about Valdez's platform? 🤝
 
I'm loving this endorsement drama 🤯 Mamdani throwing his weight behind Claire Valdez is a big deal. It shows that the labor establishment is getting on board with her pro-labor agenda 💪 And let's be real, having Fain's backing is like golden seal of approval 👏 From what I've seen, Valdez has been a solid proponent for working-class people, so it's no surprise she's got the support of these progressive heavy hitters 🤝 What's interesting is how this endorsement might sway some of Mamdani's own supporters - is he testing the waters to see if his socialist leanings will pay off in the mayor's office? 🤔 Either way, I'm excited to see how this primary battle plays out and what it means for the future of progressive politics in NYC 🗳️
 
so i think this endorsement is a big deal 🤔... valdez seems like a solid candidate, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves... she's gotta take on reynoso in that primary, and mamdani's backing is gonna be put to the test if he's runnin' for mayor next 🗳️. it's also interesting to see how fain's involvement will play out... uaw endorsement doesn't always translate to votes, but this one might just work 💪. overall, i'm thinkin' valdez has a good shot at winin', but we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out 🕰️
 
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