"Velázquez's congressional district, which covers parts of northern Brooklyn and western Queens, is a leftist hotbed, having overwhelmingly voted for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the primary. This upcoming congressional primary will likely see a wave of progressives - including members of the Democratic Socialists of America - seeking to capitalize off of Mamdani's momentum. The central question, according to Democratic strategist Trip Yang, will be if Velázquez's successor is "socialist or a non-socialist progressive.""
""From the bottom of my heart, thank you La Luchadora," Mamdani wrote in an X post Thursday, highlighting the historic legacy of Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican to serve in Congress. Along with the upcoming departure of 78-year-old Rep. Jerry Nadler, which has now resulted in at least 10 democrats competing for his Manhattan congressional seat, the race to represent the 7th Congressional district signifies a generational shift in the Democratic party."
Nydia Velázquez announced retirement after 16 terms, creating an open Democratic primary in a district spanning northern Brooklyn and western Queens. The district is a progressive stronghold that overwhelmingly supported Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, prompting a likely surge of progressive and Democratic Socialists of America candidates aiming to ride Mamdani's momentum. Democratic strategist Trip Yang framed the contest as a choice between a socialist or a non-socialist progressive successor. Mamdani publicly thanked Velázquez and noted her historic status as the first Puerto Rican in Congress. Concurrent retirements, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, point to a generational shift and multiple potential contenders.
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