Nydia Velázquez endorses Brian Romero in Queens Assembly race

In her second endorsement in as many days bucking the New York City Democratic Socialists of America and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Nydia Velázquez exclusively told City & State that she is backing Brian Romero in a contentious Democratic primary for Assembly District 34 in western Queens. “For decades I have fought as a Member of Congress to ensure Latino and immigrant communities have a voice in government,” Velázquez said in a statement. “Brian Romero has consistently shown up for our communities.” 

Romero hopes to replace his former boss, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, and has deep ties to the predominantly Latino district. He faces Palestinian American activist Aber Kawas, who grew up in southern Brooklyn and only moved to the district in 2024. DSA recruited Kawas to run for office and officially endorsed her in December. Mamdani is also reportedly supporting Kawas, though he has not yet officially endorsed her.

Romero also picked up the support of the influential progressive organization Citizen Action of New York and affordable housing group Churches United for Fair Housing Action on Thursday. He previously received the backing of left-wing immigrant advocacy group Make the Road Action.

The new endorsement from Velázquez comes less than a day after she announced her support for Rana Abdelhamid, a Muslim community organizer who is running as an independent candidate in the special election to replace Mamdani. Both the mayor and DSA have endorsed former Queens DSA co-chair Diana Moreno, who also has the support of the Queens Democratic Party and New York Working Families Party.

Why is Velázquez picking fights with Mamdani and the socialists? It might be because they’ve waded into the race to succeed her once she retires. Both DSA and Mamdani are trying to elect political newbie Assembly Member Claire Valdez to Congress over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, a longtime progressive official who is very close to Velázquez. Velázquez has not publicly endorsed a successor yet, but her recent endorsements of Romero and Abdelhamid leave little doubt about where her mind is at.