Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Claire Valdez for US Congress NY-07
Candidate Name: Claire Valdez
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-07
Campaign Website: https://clairevaldezforcongress.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
Congress is full of millionaires and bosses who are bought by oligarchs and corrupt special interests. Before serving as a member of the NYS Assembly, I was a proud member of and elected leader in UAW Local 2110, where I organized and fought alongside my fellow workers for a fair contract. I’m running for Congress to give marginalized communities a voice in the halls of power — including LGBTQ+ people, workers, tenants, immigrants, and people of color — who have long been excluded. We need leaders in Washington who can confront the attacks from the Trump administration by mobilizing and organizing working class people around a platform and with tools that go far beyond what the traditional roles and responsibilities of a member of Congress entail. Bringing together people of all walks of life to take collective action is how we will defeat fascism.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Last year, I joined 988 Lifeline workers at the Trevor Project, represented by CWA Local 1180, who were fighting layoffs at the hands of the Trump administration. These counselors provide lifesaving intervention to LGBTQ+ youth in moments of crisis; the cruel decision to end 988 Lifeline funding wasn’t just an assault on unionized workers, but on the vulnerable youth they serve...I also protested against NYU Langone’s cancellation of appointments for transgender youth last year with a coalition of organizations and families, and have spoken out against the unconscionable cowardice they have displayed this year as they caved to Trump and eliminated their Transgender Youth Health Program. In addition, I have also worked closely with NYC-DSA’s Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy Working Group and joined them for several rallies and vigils, including to remember the trans lives we have lost to suicide.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
Too many to list! In addition to the LGBTQ+ events listed above, I was at Stonewall in February protesting the Trump admin’s order to remove the pride flag. I have spoken at and attended several press conferences in support of criminal justice legislation in Albany, including the Robert Brooks package to address the heinous conditions of our prisons and jails. Last year, several of my colleagues and I were arrested at 26 Federal Plaza, where we were trying to inspect the conditions of the detention facility on the 10th floor. I have also risked arrest for and rallied to support the passage of NY for All. And I have attended several explicitly anti-Trump protests, including No Kings marches.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I don’t believe that it is enough for elected officials to put forward progressive policies or espouse progressive ideals. To confront the fascist threat in our country, and defeat the influence of the billionaire class in both parties, we need to build a mass movement, inspiring people everywhere to organize in their schools, workplaces, and communities. As a member of UAW, I believe I am uniquely placed to work with union members across sectors who are organizing towards a strike on May 1, 2028. I will use my office, my voice, and the resources at my disposal as a congressperson to help build the labor movement and other popular movements to win a political revolution in our country.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I have not, but I support Drag Story Hours and would be very willing to get involved!
8. Do you support right-wing attempts to ban the teaching of “critical race theory”?
No.
9. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a Sanctuary City?
Defending immigrants is a high priority of mine; I have a good working relationship with local immigrant organizations in Queens. I have been a proud and vocal co-sponsor of immigration legislation like New York for All, Dignity Not Detention, and Access to Representation, and have marched and rallied for these bills to be passed. I have held Know Your Rights trainings as part of my office’s constituent services. This is in addition to the immigration-related actions already listed prior.
I am going to bring this same fight to Congress, where I will work to abolish ICE, establish pathways to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants, dismantle the for-profit immigration detention industry, stop the use of the military for immigration enforcement, prevent information sharing or cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement, and demilitarize the southern border.
10. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes.
11. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes. I was an organizer for several Tax the Rich campaigns with NYC-DSA, and I am a co-sponsor of key legislation at the state level to do this currently.
12. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
In my Assembly office, we have worked with individuals experiencing homelessness and connected them with governmental, non-profit, and legal resources to help ensure they can access affordable housing. It is important to represent people experiencing homelessness with patience and understanding for the difficult circumstances they are living in, while simultaneously working on longer term solutions that upend our view of housing as a commodity rather than a human right. I have not opposed any shelters, and additionally believe that most shelter spaces are inadequate and often dangerous for those who rely on them. The real solution is more permanently affordable housing.
13. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
14. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
15. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes to both.
16. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes to both.
17. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I did not rank Andrew Cuomo. I was the only elected official at Mayor Mamdani’s campaign launch event, and an extremely vocal supporter of his from Day 1. I ranked Mamdani #1 and Lander #2.
18. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support renaming the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes.
19. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes.
20. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res. 719 “Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charles Kirk”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I would have voted against.
21. Do you support the immediate impeachment of Trump and other administration officials? If yes, which?
I would support impeaching practically any of them, but my priorities would be President Trump, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem, Markwayne Mullin, and Todd Lyons.
22. When Democrats regain power, do you favor Justice Department prosecutions to hold Trump’s administration officials accountable for criminal offenses?
Yes.
23. Would you vote to defund ICE?
Yes. I would also go further to abolish it.
24. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I would have voted against.
25. If an incumbent, how have you voted on allowing NSA to conduct warrantless searches? If not an incumbent, how would you vote?
I would vote against.
26. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res 58 “Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I would have voted against..
27. If an incumbent, how did you house on a resolution directing the removal of all troops in foreign nations not authorized by Congress?
I am not an incumbent, but I would have supported the resolution.
28. Do you support allowing DC to fund its own government, including the criminal justice system, without oversight by Congress?
Yes.
29. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
Housing for All is a core pillar of my campaign. In particular, I support the Homes Act, which would create a federal housing development authority and work with governmental agencies, mission-driven nonprofits, community land trusts, and public housing authorities to build, rehabilitate, and maintain millions of sustainable, permanently affordable homes. I also support repealing the Faircloth Amendment so we can build and invest in new public housing..
30. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes.
31. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults?
Yes.
32. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
NY-7 is one of the most left-wing districts in the country, with Zohran Mamdani defeating Andrew Cuomo 64% to 20% in the first round of the Democratic primary, the largest of any congressional district in NYC. Our path to victory is clear: secure the support of the coalition that backed Mamdani’s victory, and drive turnout in the areas that cemented Mamdani’s win in the progressive-left neighborhoods that are majority renter (77%), young (median age 34), and left leaning. To ensure that Mamdani’s voter coalition turns out for us, the campaign is running a robust field, fundraising, and paid media program.
33. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes.