Endorsement wars: Rep. Nydia Velázquez takes on Mamdani and the DSA

If you want Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s endorsement, it doesn’t hurt to run against someone backed by the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. This year, the retiring lawmaker has endorsed a half-dozen rivals to candidates backed by either the group or Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Here’s the full list so far.

Antonio Reynoso (against Claire Valdez)

This intraleft congressional clash is the source of the bitterness between Velázquez, who wanted one of her political “children” like Antonio Reynoso to succeed her, and Mamdani, who instead backed NYC-DSA’s own Claire Valdez.

Rana Abdelhamid (against Diana Moreno)

In the special election for Mamdani’s former Assembly seat, the mayor, NYC-DSA, the WFP and even the Queens Democratic Party all lined up behind Diana Moreno, while Velázquez was one of few elected officials  to back Rana Abdelhamid. Moreno easily won in February.

Carl Wilson (against Lindsey Boylan)

In the special election to replace state Sen. Erik Bottcher in the New York City Council, Velázquez (and most other elected officials) backed Bottcher’s preferred successor Carl Wilson, while Mamdani and the WFP went hard for DSA member Lindsey Boylan, even as NYC-DSA stayed out of the race. Wilson prevailed by nearly 20 points last month.

Brian Romero (formerly against Aber Kawas)

In the race to succeed Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, who is running for state Senate in Queens, NYC-DSA endorsed Aber Kawas, while Velázquez and the WFP backed González-Rojas’ former chief of staff and preferred successor Brian Romero. Kawas finally jumped ship to a nearby state Senate race just before socialist standard-bearer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, endorsed Romero, all but sealing his victory.

Adriano Espaillat (against Darializa Avila Chevalier)

It’s probably no great surprise that Velázquez, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is backing the caucus’s Chair Adriano Espaillat over challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, who’s backed by NYC-DSA and the Justice Democrats.

Jasmin Sanchez (against Illapa Sairitupac)

NYC-DSA is backing Illapa Sairitupac to succeed Assembly Member Grace Lee in lower Manhattan, while Velázquez just endorsed former district leader Jasmin Sanchez.