NY-07: Gianaris endorses Claire Valdez
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris is set to endorse Assemblymember Claire Valdez in her bid to succeed Nydia Velazquez in the 7th Congressional District (NY-7), handing a significant boost to the Valdez campaign exactly one week from the Democratic primary.
Gianaris, whose Senate district overlaps with NY-7 and Valdez’s Assembly District, will make an official announcement in Sunnyside later on Tuesday morning and described Valdez as the “right person for this moment.”
“What Congress needs now more than ever is a fighter who understands that business as usual just won’t cut it anymore,” Gianaris said in a statement ahead of the official announcement. “Claire has been a powerful progressive voice for working people who doesn’t shy away from standing up to powerful forces who are hurting this country.”
Gianaris, who will not seek re-election in the 12th Senate District, has endorsed Valdez over Council Member Julie Won and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Valdez welcomed the endorsement and credited Gianaris’s record in office, noting his efforts to fight against Amazon HQ2 and his efforts to spearhead a fare-free bus pilot program alongside then-Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.
https://qns.com/2026/06/exclusive-gianaris-endorses-claire-valdez-ny-7/