Puerto Rico Takes Center Stage in Reynoso-Valdez House Showdown
In the 30-plus years since she was first elected to Congress, Rep. Nydia Velázquez has had twin missions, representing New York’s 7th District and her native Puerto Rico — pushing legislation for the island’s self-determination and protesting the U.S. Navy’s presence there.
With the U.S. territory’s lopsided relationship with Washington — it has a single non-voting member in the House, and its residents cannot vote in presidential elections despite being U.S. citizens — Velázquez is Puerto Rico’s unofficial ambassador, speaking out for the island’s 3.3 million residents.
The overarching theme of the race to succeed “La Luchadora,” who is retiring at the end of the year, has been a proxy war between the Democratic party’s insurgent left flank — led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani — and establishment progressives. But Puerto Rico is taking center stage — even though none of the three leading candidates are Puerto Rican.
On Monday, Velázquez’ chosen successor, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio R…