Claire Valdez Wins New York House Seat

Valdez, a Democratic state assemblymember, is projected to become New York's first known Indigenous member of Congress.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Democratic state assemblymember and union organizer Claire Valdez was named the projected winner in New York's 7th Congressional District, defeating Republican Melvin Rivera and independent Priscilla Ghaznavi. As of Wednesday morning, Oct. 4, Valdez had 135,179 votes.

Why it matters

Valdez's victory makes her New York's first known Indigenous member of Congress, adding representation for a community that has been absent from the state's federal delegation. She is a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, a federally recognized tribe in the El Paso region.

The figure is a projected-winner tally of 135,179 votes as of Oct. 4, with no comparison to opponents' totals available in the source. Final certified counts for the race remain unreported.

The players

Claire Valdez

Valdez is a Democratic state assemblymember and union organizer who is a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is a federally recognized Native American tribe and sovereign nation whose community has lived in the El Paso region for over 300 years.

The details

Valdez will represent parts of Brooklyn and Queens in the U.S. House after being named the projected winner over Republican Melvin Rivera and independent Priscilla Ghaznavi. She is a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, a sovereign tribal nation located in the El Paso region of Texas.

1682: The Tigua community established Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.
Oct. 4: Valdez's vote count stood at 135,179 on Wednesday morning.

Political Context

Valdez's win places New York alongside a small group of states with Indigenous members of Congress, adding representation for tribal citizens who have historically had limited voice in the federal delegation. The extraction does not describe any partisan or opposition counter-arguments to her election.

Valdez's election means New York's 7th District, including parts of Brooklyn and Queens, will be represented in the U.S. House by a Democrat who is a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. The extraction does not describe any changes to district services or policy in the near term.

The takeaway

Valdez's victory marks a first for New York's federal delegation, offering a concrete example of how Indigenous representation can reach states beyond those traditionally associated with tribal communities. Voters tracking congressional representation in the state can note that this seat is now held by an Indigenous Democrat.