The first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez has declined to run again in 2026 after serving 16 terms.
“After much reflection, I have decided that this will be my last term in Congress. This was not an easy decision, but I believe that the time is right for me to move on and for a new generation of leaders to step forward,” she said in a statement.
Velázquez, 72, represents New York’s 7th Congressional District, which covers neighborhoods in both Brooklyn and Queens: East New York, Long Island City, Astoria, Williamsburg, Ridgewood, and Bushwick.
Born in Puerto Rico, Velázquez was elected to Congress in 1992. She later became the first-ranking Hispanic woman in a full House committee in 1998. She also served as chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Spectrum News reported.
As she reflected on her time serving in office, Velázquez said, “over 33 years, I have poured my heart into this work and am proud of all we have achieved together.”
However, she explained that the work that she has done, like opening access to the capital and opening doors to the federal marketplace for minorities, women and veterans, is not done, and that future leaders must pick up where she left off.
“I feel the urgency of this moment every day. Our country faces crises on multiple fronts, Velázquez said. “Every day, the Trump administration is working to undermine civil rights and our democracy. At the same time, the American Dream is slipping further away.”
With the recent win of democratic socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Velázquez said she sees evidence that many New Yorkers want to see a change.
“New York’s recent mayoral election showed that Americans are hungry for change and determined to build a better future,” Velázquez said. So far, two candidates have declared they will run for Velázquez seat, both on the Democratic ticket: Sydney Martinez and perennial candidate Paperboy Love Prince.