Meet the candidates battling to win New York's 7th Congressional District
Democratic candidate Claire Valdez, independent candidate Priscilla Ghaznavi and Republican candidate Melvin Rivera are seeking to represent the district.
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In New York’s 7th Congressional District, three candidates are running to replace long-time Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who will vacate her seat at the end of this term.
Democratic candidate Claire Valdez, independent candidate Priscilla Ghaznavi and Republican candidate Melvin Rivera are seeking to represent the district representing parts of neighborhoods like Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg, just to name a few.
Mamdani endorsed Valdez, who just came off a primary win a few months ago. Valdez currently serves as an assemblymember for District 37 and says the primary win energized her campaign.
“It was incredibly exciting certainly seeing the margin was really thrilling and really for us it meant there was a mandate to fight for the things we campaign for. Abolishing ICE, winning Medicare for all, you know, fighting for housing for everyone and building a thriving labor movement. So it was very exciting," said Valdez.
Valdez says housing, immigration and healthcare are all issues she's passionate about working on with her experience.
“Helping people organize, helping working-class people feel the power that they really have, is something I've been doing for a long time and working for and certainly what I want to do in Congress as well," said Valdez.
Republican candidate Melvin Rivera was born and raised in Brooklyn. Rivera says the race is personal, and experiencing things like homelessness inspired him to be the change.
“Nobody's coming to save us. You know, I really didn't want to run. I have no intention of or ambition to be in politics. But the truth is that these seats are being occupied by DSA members who do not know the community," said Rivera.
Rivera says he's been a lifelong activist and is focused on issues like housing, public assistance, and immigration.
"I want to teach people how to fish, not provide a fish. I want to create an independent state by bringing back apprenticeship programs to HRA, which will segue into jobs," said Rivera.
Independent candidate Priscilla Ghaznavi says being a daughter of immigrants growing up in Washington, D.C. has ingrained the political world in her life.
“The people that wanted me to run were actually my neighbors from such a diverse community. They’d say, 'Priscilla, this is what happened to me. Who do I talk to? Or can you help me write a letter?' And I never asked somebody, 'Hey, what party do you belong to?' Or what affiliation you are? I just did it because they were my neighbors. And so those deposits have now turned around and have been my cheerleading squad to proceed in running for office," said Ghaznavi.
Ghaznavi says fighting issues of housing, healthcare and education are all instrumental parts of her campaign and says she wants to be what people need right now.
"Affordability, transparency. And enough of the fighting. Like there's too much, 'Oh, this party's doing this, this party's doing that.' This is one of the key reasons why I really encourage people to research and make an informed decision about who is running as independents across the United States, because you really don't have to answer to a specific party," said Ghaznavi.
One issue on all three candidates' campaigns is housing.
“If you live in a rent-stabilized, rent-controlled Section 8 unit, you should have the opportunity to purchase and build generational wealth through home equity," said Rivera.
Ghaznavi says she's focused on transparency.
“Affordable housing and a pathway to homeownership. These programs that exist aren’t necessarily always accessible or people aren’t necessarily always aware of it," said Ghaznavi.
“Fighting for secure and dignified public housing, funding NYCHA are high priorities," said Valdez.
Early voting is now open. Election Day is Nov. 3.
