The primary Puerto Rican lady elected to Congress, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez has declined to run once more in 2026 after serving 16 phrases.
“After a lot reflection, I’ve determined that this will probably be my final time period in Congress. This was not a simple determination, however I consider that the time is correct for me to maneuver on and for a brand new era of leaders to step ahead,” she stated in an announcement.
Velázquez, 72, represents New York’s seventh Congressional District, which covers neighborhoods in each Brooklyn and Queens: East New York, Lengthy Island Metropolis, Astoria, Williamsburg, Ridgewood, and Bushwick.
Born in Puerto Rico, Velázquez was elected to Congress in 1992. She later turned the first-ranking Hispanic lady in a full Home committee in 1998. She additionally served as chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Spectrum Information reported.
As she mirrored on her time serving in workplace, Velázquez stated, “over 33 years, I’ve poured my coronary heart into this work and am happy with all we’ve achieved collectively.”
Nonetheless, she defined that the work that she has completed, like opening entry to the capital and opening doorways to the federal market for minorities, ladies and veterans, isn’t completed, and that future leaders should choose up the place she left off.
“I really feel the urgency of this second every single day. Our nation faces crises on a number of fronts, Velázquez stated. “Every single day, the Trump administration is working to undermine civil rights and our democracy. On the similar time, the American Dream is slipping additional away.”
With the current win of democratic socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Velázquez stated she sees proof that many New Yorkers wish to see a change.
“New York’s current mayoral election confirmed that People are hungry for change and decided to construct a greater future,” Velázquez stated.
To this point, two candidates have declared they’ll run for Velázquez seat, each on the Democratic ticket: Sydney Martinez and perennial candidate Paperboy Love Prince.
