Skip to main content
The Full Record
Menu

U.S. House · New York's 7th Congressional District

Claire Valdez

Member, New York State Assembly, District 37 (since 2025)DWFP

Race
U.S. House · New York's 7th Congressional District
Result
Claire Valdez, projected winner
Opponents
Melvin Rivera (R, C); Priscilla Ghaznavi (Our Future)
Research
In depth

Party line25 votes tracked

0With Democrats
0Against
25Didn't vote

With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.

Said vs. did7 statements · 25 votes

In Congress, Claire will fight for: Universal rent control

Stronger rent regulation and tenant protections

Compare statements with votes ›

On the ballotU.S. House · 7

2026-11-03

Claire Valdez DWFPchallenger
Melvin Rivera RCchallenger
Priscilla Ghaznavi Our Futurechallenger

Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 56.2% of the vote

Said vs. did

Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.

Stronger rent regulation and tenant protectionsSupports
In Congress, Claire will fight for: Universal rent control

Campaigns for universal rent control and greater tenant power, and as an Assemblymember is the prime sponsor of a bill to cap initial regulated rents at the average for comparable rent-stabilized units.[8]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Loosen zoning rules to build more housingSupports
A full supply of homes through public investment

Supports a full supply of homes through public investment, as part of a housing platform centered on universal rent control and tenant power.[9]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Expand public health coverageSupports
Claire will sponsor Medicare for All on Day One and fight the insurance companies that profit from denying care and driving up costs.

Will sponsor Medicare for All in Congress, aiming to guarantee health care regardless of employment.[8]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsOpposes
Claire Valdez will fight to dismantle and abolish ICE.

Opposes expanded immigration enforcement; campaigns to abolish and dismantle ICE and push for immigration reform that legalizes the status of millions of immigrant Americans.[9]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Continue U.S. military aid to IsraelOpposes
Push to end all weapons sales and military aid to Israel and fight for Palestinian freedom.

Opposes continued U.S. military aid to Israel and calls for an end to weapons sales tied to the conflict.[9]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Raise the minimum wageSupports
Ensure everyone has the freedom to live a good life by guaranteeing a job with a living wage, paid parental and sick leave, quality health care, and a dignified retirement.

Calls for guaranteeing a job with a living wage as part of a broader labor and economic security agenda.[8]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Faster transition away from fossil fuelsSupports
Call for freezing electricity rates, holding corporations accountable, and investing in a rapid transition to an affordable, clean, and reliable energy system

Supports a Green New Deal-style transition, including freezing electricity rates and rapidly investing in clean, publicly accountable energy.[8]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Biography

Democrat Claire Valdez won the election for New York's 7th Congressional District on November 3, 2026, defeating Melvin Rivera, according to unofficial results, and will take office on January 3, 2027. A member of the New York State Assembly (District 37), she is a Texas native who moved to New York City in 2015, worked at Columbia University, became a union unit chair with UAW Local 2110, and was elected to the Assembly in 2024. She describes herself as a democratic socialist.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Valdez is originally from Lubbock, Texas, where she was born in 1989, according to Wikipedia.[4] She moved to New York City in 2015 to pursue a career as a visual artist, according to a New York Daily News profile, and holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, per Wikipedia.[4][5] She took an administrative job at Columbia University, where she became active in her union, United Auto Workers Local 2110.[4][5] As a union organizer she served on the bargaining committee of UAW Local 2110 at Columbia, was elected Unit Chair in 2022 to represent about 500 coworkers, and took part in the effort to elect reform candidates to UAW leadership, according to her Assembly biography.[2][10]

Valdez joined the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2019, per Wikipedia, and her campaign website describes her as a "proud democratic socialist."[4][6] She won the June 2024 Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 37 over Johanna Carmona and incumbent Juan Ardila, then the November 2024 general election, and took office on January 1, 2025.[2][4][10][11] The district includes Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and Ridgewood.[10][11] Her Assembly committee assignments for 2025-2026 are Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Cities; Social Services; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development; and Transportation.[2]

Valdez announced her campaign for Congress in January 2026 after Rep. Nydia Velázquez announced her retirement.[1][4] She won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary over Antonio Reynoso, Julie Won, and Vichal Kumar.[1][4][12] Her congressional campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Justice Democrats, and NYC-DSA.[2][6] She lives in Ridgewood, Queens, according to her Assembly biography.[10] During the campaign, she emphasized labor organizing, universal rent control, Medicare for All, and abolishing ICE.[1][2][3][4][5][6] She won the November 3, 2026 general election with 83.3% of the vote to Melvin Rivera's 15.0% and Priscilla Ghaznavi's 1.3%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[7]

Campaign website ↗

Recent votes

DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteIncreases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRelates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRelates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteProhibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRequires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't votePermits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗

Showing the 8 most recent of 25 votes.

All 25 recorded votes
DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteIncreases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. Lawrence from three to five percent.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRelates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Provides for the use of restoration services when determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-Hudson; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRelates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteProhibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteRequires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Requires certain elections take place in even-numbered years for certain municipal and judicial officials except in the city of New York.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't votePermits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel tax; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Oneonta not to exceed 6%.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias programS6983-A · Passed Assembly 92–40 · official record ↗Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes the village of Atlantic Beach to impose a hotel, motel and beach club taxS7966-A · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach, county of Nassau to impose a three percent hotel, motel and beach club tax; defines "beach club" as a facility formed, organized or operated by any person, firm or corporation, located on or contiguous to an ocean beach, permitting sunbathing, swimming and other allied recreation activities, including such uses operated by a hotel, cooperative complex or other entity; makes related provisions.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteProvides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housingS8026-A · Passed Assembly 126–6 · official record ↗Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklandsS8852-C · Passed Assembly 123–8 · official record ↗Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklands in the town of Carmel for use as a cell tower for thirty years.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel taxS9027 · Passed Assembly 97–34 · official record ↗Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel tax not exceeding five percent of the per diem rental rate for each room.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of IthacaS9528-A · Passed Assembly 110–21 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Ithaca; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2030.
2026-06-05No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel taxS9862-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel tax at a rate of five percent.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteIncreases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk countyA11552 · Passed Assembly 117–24 · official record ↗Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk county; provides for the support of a not-for-profit organization that manages and owns the first lighthouse built in New York, a national register of historic places site in Suffolk county that has been named a national historic landmark and is a New York state historic site.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteEnacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Assembly 103–38 · official record ↗Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits; requires utilities to establish an independent classification of service for large data centers; sets energy efficiency goals for data centers; provides for benefits for host communities; sets labor standards for the construction of data centers.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteEnacts into law necessary legislation including extensions and technical correctionsA11561 · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part A); extends the duration of certain brownfield redevelopment and remediation tax credits with respect to a site located at 1800 Park Avenue (Part B); makes technical corrections relating to extending the term and authority of the independent monitor for the Orange county IDA (Part C); extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part D); makes technical corrections to section 11-3206 of the administrative code of the city of New York (Part E); provides for the temporary transfer of racing support payments (Part F).
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteRelates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Assembly 135–6 · official record ↗Relates to the taxation of vapor products; provides for the licensing of vapor products distributors; imposes certain tax return filing requirements on vapor products distributors; provides for enforcement powers.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of AmsterdamS10196-A · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Amsterdam; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2031.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteEstablishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of YonkersS10564 · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Yonkers; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteAuthorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklandS10611 · Passed Assembly 126–15 · official record ↗Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parkland and to lease such land to HESP Solar LLC for a term not to exceed twenty-five years.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteRelates to judicial districtsS10626 · Passed Assembly 95–46 · official record ↗Provides that in the fourth judicial department, three new districts, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen are added; makes related provisions.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteRelates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customersS1327-A · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility.
2026-06-04No votevoted didn't voteProvides remedies for disrupted electionsS4602-B · Passed Assembly 93–48 · official record ↗Provides remedies for disrupted voting times and locations during elections; directs that the BOE extend voting to account for the disruption.

Albany votes: landmark laws since 2019, plus the 25 most recent 2025–26 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side, from the legislature’s official records. Party line is scored for 2025–26 votes only.

On the record

Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.

  • bill2025-04-24 · Prime sponsor of A08084, which would place limitations on initial regulated rents so they do not exceed the average rent for a comparable rent-regulated housing accommodation; referred to the Assembly Housing Committee (as of January 2026, not yet passed).[13]
  • bill2025-02-14 · Prime sponsor of A05427, which would protect tenants displaced due to fire; referred to the Assembly Housing Committee.[14]
  • bill2025-07-16 · Prime sponsor of A08917, which would prohibit employers from using workplace surveillance tools to monitor employees in private, off-duty areas or in a worker's residence or vehicle; referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.[15]
  • bill2025-07-16 · Prime sponsor of A08931, which would require just cause for employment termination and restrict use of electronic monitoring for disciplinary purposes; referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.[16]
  • bill2026-04-28 · Prime sponsor of A11160, which would repeal the property-tax exemption for private universities that receive real-property tax exemptions of $100 million or more; referred to the Assembly Real Property Taxation Committee.[17]
  • actionServes on the Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Cities, Social Services, Tourism/Parks/Arts/Sports Development, and Transportation committees for the 2025-2026 session.[18]

In their own words

Priorities

  • "Building a thriving labor movement is really gonna be the key to defending our democracy," and says she wants a federal government that supports union organizing, citing her own experience as a former UAW Local 2110 member.[19]
  • In Congress, Valdez will fight to strengthen and pass the PRO Act, establish federal support for union organizing, and end "at will" employment.[8]
  • She will sponsor Medicare for All on "Day One" in Congress.[8]
  • She will fight to dismantle and abolish ICE and push for immigration reform that legalizes the status of millions of immigrant Americans.[8]
Campaign money$1.7M raised · 97% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30

Totals this cycle

Raised$1.7M
Spent$1.5M
Cash on hand$207K

Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.

Who gave

  • Individuals $1.6M
  • PACs & committees $45K

Largest committee contributions

  1. Progressive Voters of America PAC$10K
  2. UAW - V - Cap (UAW Voluntary Community Action Program) 'int'l Union United Automobile Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America UAW PAC$5,000
  3. Int'l Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers PAC$5,000
  4. Leaders We Deserve PAC$5,000
  5. Justice Democrats PAC PAC$5,000
  6. Christopher Street Project PAC (CSP PAC) PAC$5,000
  7. Courage to Change PAC$5,000
  8. Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC PAC$5,000
  9. Peace, Accountability, and Leadership PAC PAC$3,500
  10. Int'l Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IPAL) PAC$3,500

Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗

Profile: /people/claire-valdez

Compare all 3 candidates side by side ›

Sources cited in this profile

  1. 1.New York's 7th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Claire Valdez · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Issues · Claire Valdez for Congress Candidate's own words
  4. 4.Claire Valdez (Wikipedia) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  5. 5.Claire Valdez pitches herself as fresh voice for workers, tenants in NY-07 · New York Daily News via The Daily Gazette · 2026-10-21 News report
  6. 6.Claire Valdez for Congress · Claire Valdez for Congress · 2026-10-21 Candidate's own words
  7. 7.New York U.S. House District 7 election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  8. 8.Issues · Claire Valdez for Congress Candidate's own words
  9. 9.Issues · Claire Valdez for Congress Candidate's own words
  10. 10.Claire Valdez - Assembly District 37 Biography · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-21 Official record
  11. 11.New York State Assembly District 37 · Ballotpedia Reference
  12. 12.Claire Valdez wins Democratic primary in NY-7, defeats Antonio Reynoso in closely watched progressive battle · PoliticsNY · 2026-06-23 News report
  13. 13.Bill A08084 · New York State Assembly Official record
  14. 14.Bill A05427 · New York State Assembly Official record
  15. 15.Bill A08917 · New York State Assembly Official record
  16. 16.Bill A08931 · New York State Assembly Official record
  17. 17.Bill A11160 · New York State Assembly Official record
  18. 18.Claire Valdez · Ballotpedia Reference
  19. 19.Assemblymember Claire Valdez launches campaign for congress · NY1 · 2026-01-09 News report