She’s going scorched earth.
Retiring Queens and Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) called out her onetime progressive ally Mayor Zohran Mamdani for endorsing his Democratic socialist comrade to replace her — instead of her chosen successor.
Tensions came to a head Thursday when Velázquez anointed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to taker her seat in New York’s 7th Congressional District, and issued a warning to Mamdani about his backing of fellow Democratic Socialists of America member Claire Valdez.
“Honeymoons are short, and people need to pay attention to the work at hand,” she told The New York Times when asked if she had any advice for the new mayor.
“Primaries sometimes can be a distraction from the work that you need to do,” she said, adding it “opens up fights” among groups Mamdani governs, according to the Times.
Velázquez indicated she could have gone further, but “I’m trying to be respectful,” she told the newspaper.
The comments were a sharp departure from the early endorsement she gave the socialist upstart in his once long-shot bid for the city’s highest office.
Mamdani revealed Tuesday he was opting to support Queens state Assemblywoman Valdez in the Democratic primary for the 7th District.
Two days later, Velázquez, who is retiring after serving in Congress for 32 years, said that she would be backing Reynoso for the seat.
“As I pass the torch to the next generation, I ask New Yorkers to support him. Our legacy—one rooted in justice, dignity, and opportunity—is in strong hands with Antonio,” she said in a press release.
The congresswoman also backed DSA candidate Rana Abdelhamid for Mamdani’s open seat in the state Assembly — while Hizzoner opted for Diana Moreno, who is also a member of the socialist group.
Mamdani downplayed the spat between him and the seemingly former member of his inner circle.
“I have nothing but respect and adoration for congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and I will always continue to appreciate the relationship that we have,” he told reporters at an unrelated press conference in Harlem Thursday.
“I think Congresswoman Velázquez and I are both proud progressives in New York City,” he added when asked if his endorsements of more DSA candidates would put him at odds with more moderate members of the Democratic Party.
Velázquez’s community liaison, Samantha Johnson, also filed Thursday to primary DSA Assemblymember Phara Souffrant-Forrest — one of Mamdani’s close allies.
