Valdez Wins House Seat, Has Not Decided on Jeffries

Claire Valdez won New York’s 7th Congressional District in the November 3 midterm election, according to an ABC News projection, and said after the vote that she had not decided whether to support Hakeem Jeffries for House speaker. Valdez, a New York state assemblywoman and Democratic Socialist, was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The projected victory puts her in line to succeed retiring Democratic Representative Nydia Velázquez, who has held the seat since 2013. The district includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Valdez said she had not spoken with Jeffries since the election but hoped to discuss with him how Democrats could pursue policies focused on affordability and lowering living costs. Her position leaves open whether she will support Jeffries in the House leadership contest. No later decision was reported. The projection was part of a broader result for candidates endorsed by Mamdani. ABC News also projected victories for Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York’s 13th District and former city comptroller Brad Lander in the 10th District. All three had won their Democratic primaries after Mamdani backed them. Valdez and Avila Chevalier are members of the...