U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez is not going to search reelection in 2026, bringing an finish to a 33-year profession in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who represents elements of Queens and Brooklyn in Congress, introduced that she is not going to search reelection subsequent yr on the finish of her sixteenth time period in workplace.
Velázquez 72, turned the primary Puerto Rican ever elected to Congress in 1992 however introduced Thursday evening that she wouldn’t be in search of a seventeenth time period in workplace.
In a Nov. 20 assertion saying the transfer, Velázquez mentioned she had “poured her heart” into every little thing she had accomplished in Congress, stating that she first ran over three a long time in the past as a result of she believed the voices in her neighborhood weren’t being heard, together with “immigrants, workers and families struggling to get by.”
A trailblazing Democratic determine on the Hill, Velázquez was the primary Latina to ever serve on the New York Metropolis Council and likewise turned the primary Latina to chair a full committee in Congress when she chaired the Small Enterprise Committee. She additionally chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and labored with former President Barack Obama to assist verify Justice Sonia Sotomayor as the primary Latin lady on the Supreme Court docket.
Often known as “La Luchadora” (Spanish for “The Fighter), Velázquez ousted nine-term Congress member Stephen Solarz within the newly-drawn twelfth Congressional District in 1992 which boasted a majority-Hispanic inhabitants.
“Back then, there were only three Latinas in the House. One of the greatest honors of my career has been helping open the doors for those who came after us.”
Velázquez has usually been described a mentor for younger, progressive officers in Congress, together with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
She described herself as a “consistent voice for peace” in Washington, touting her opposition to the conflict in Iraq in 2003 and, extra not too long ago, her requires a right away ceasefire throughout the conflict in Gaza.
Velázquez, who at present represents New York’s seventh Congressional District in Queens and North Brooklyn, insisted that there’s “still so much work to be done,” pointing to a cost-of-living disaster and alleged efforts by the Trump Administration to “undermine” civil rights and democracy. Nonetheless, she additionally acknowledged that she has full confidence in a “new generation of leaders” to answer present political challenges.
“Our country faces crises on multiple fronts,” Velázquez mentioned in a press release saying her retirement. “But I believe in the resiliency of the American people and the ability of a new generation of leaders who are ready for these great challenges.”
She additionally pointed to the current election of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, stating that Mamdani’s victory is proof that New Yorkers are “hungry for change.”
“New York’s recent mayoral election showed that Americans are hungry for change and determined to build a better future,” Velázquez mentioned. “My district is home to so many dedicated elected officials, community leaders, and activists, and I have complete confidence that NY-7 will remain in good hands.”
In a separate interview with the New York Instances, which broke the story, Velázquez mentioned she feels “at ease” after serving to to elect “young leaders,” together with Mamdani.
She additional informed the publication that she felt prefer it was the “right time” to step apart within the district.
Her retirement follows that of U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s twelfth Congressional District, who introduced in September that he wouldn’t be in search of one other time period in workplace, sparking a frenzied problem for his soon-to-be-vacant seat. Not less than 10 candidates have introduced bids to run within the district, whereas extra reasonable New York Congressional Democrats will face challenges from left-wing members of the occasion within the primaries subsequent yr, together with Daniel Goldman, Hakeem Jeffries and Adriano Espaillat.
The race to succeed Velázquez in District 7 is prone to be simply as frenzied because the race to succeed Nadler in District 12. Velázquez’s district, together with neighborhoods akin to Lengthy Island Metropolis, Sunnyside, Greenpoint and Bushwick, is among the most progressive districts within the state, with Mamdani choosing up greater than 80% of the vote in quite a lot of precincts inside the district throughout the current mayoral election.
Velázquez didn’t identify a attainable successor within the district however informed the New York Instances that she would contemplate an endorsement nearer to the June main.
No candidate had introduced intentions to run previous to Velázquez’s announcement on Thursday, a mark of her recognition within the district.
Quite a lot of outstanding elected officers have paid tribute to Velázquez because the announcement, together with Mamdani and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries.
Mamdani described Velázquez as a “champion and a tireless advocate” of immigrants, small companies and households.
“Your grace and fight showed us what real leadership looks like,” Mamdani mentioned in a publish on X Thursday evening.
Jeffries, in the meantime, described Velázquez as a trailblazer, a transformational determine and a “tenacious truth-teller.”
“Throughout her career in public service, she has been an incredible advocate for the communities she is privileged to represent,” Jeffries mentioned in a press release.
Jeffries additional described Velázquez as an amazing mentor in Congress and mentioned she could be “deeply missed” by the Home Democratic Caucus.
“Known to anyone who has witnessed her passion and advocacy firsthand as “La Luchadora,” there’s no person higher to have in your nook than Nydia,” Jeffries added.
