Who's In the Race

Democrat Claire Valdez faces Republican Melvin Rivera and independent Priscilla Ghaznavi in the Nov. 3 general election in New York's 7th District. The seat is open because Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced she would not seek reelection, making this her last term in Congress. ​

Valdez is a New York State Assemblymember for District 37 and a former union organizer at Columbia University with UAW Local 2110; her campaign describes her as a democratic socialist. She won the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026, taking 36,961 votes over runner-up Antonio Reynoso, who received 23,730.

Rivera's campaign biography describes him as a community activist for more than 30 years, helping people connect with affordable housing, public benefits, and employment. No Republican primary was held for this seat.

What They Stand For

Valdez has proposed abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and pursuing immigration reform that legalizes the status of millions of people, according to her campaign website. She's also supported:

  • Medicare for All, including coverage for gender-affirming care, contraception and PrEP;
  • Investment in safe, inclusive housing; and
  • Redirecting military funding and addressing the climate crisis through a just transition.

Rivera's campaign website describes its focus as "public safety, ownership, and real opportunity" for Brooklyn and Queens, and its issues page refers to pathways to careers paying $70,000 to $100,000 while framing its approach as "breaking cycles and rebuilding lives."

Ghaznavi, an independent who has held leadership roles at Ralph Lauren, Walmart, and Benjamin Moore, did not list policy positions on her campaign website.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Valdez raised about $1.7 million through June 30 and had about $207,000 in the bank. Ghaznavi raised about $39,000 through Sept. 30 and had about $28,000 on hand, carrying about $30,000 in debt. Melvin Rivera is a Republican candidate.

Outside groups spent about $2.2 million in this race as of Oct. 13, with about $1.24 million supporting Valdez and about $881,000 supporting Reynoso. Real Fight NYC was the largest outside spender in the race, with $700,000 in support spending, followed by American Priorities with $455,750 and Justice Democrats PAC with $371,000.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball gave it the same rating as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections also called it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Valdez, a 98.29 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Velázquez carried the 7th District with about 84 percent in 2022 and about 65 percent in 2024. Statewide, Democrats won 18 of New York's 26 U.S. House seats in 2022 and 19 in 2024. Democrat Kamala Harris carried New York in the 2024 presidential election with about 55 percent of the vote.

Voters in New York's 7th District can cast ballots early or on Election Day, Nov. 3. The voter-registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 24; mail registration must be received by the Board of Elections by that date. Mail-ballot applications are due by mail or online by Saturday, Oct. 24, or in person by Monday, Nov. 2.

Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1; hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 29, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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