Working Families Party Backs Reynoso for Congress, Breaking With Mamdani

The party’s endorsement of the Brooklyn borough president is a blow to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to elevate fellow democratic socialists.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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New York’s left-leaning Working Families Party on Monday endorsed Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn borough president, in a closely watched Democratic House primary, breaking with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his handpicked candidate, Assemblywoman Claire Valdez.

Why it matters

The endorsement is likely to give Mr. Reynoso a fresh jolt of momentum in the Brooklyn and Queens district, as a nod from the party typically comes with volunteers, money and clout among progressives. However, the process also laid bare the challenge ahead for Mr. Mamdani as he tries to use his newfound political influence as mayor to elevate fellow democratic socialists in congressional and state races across the city.

The details

The mayor and his advisers worked behind the scenes as the endorsement meeting approached, trying to persuade party leaders to back Ms. Valdez, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America whom Mr. Mamdani recruited to run. Later, when it became clear that Ms. Valdez had little chance of receiving the endorsement, the mayor’s team lobbied influential labor unions and advocacy groups that are part of the party to push for Working Families to stay on the sidelines instead.

  • The Working Families Party made its endorsement on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Antonio Reynoso

The Brooklyn borough president who received the Working Families Party’s endorsement in the Democratic House primary.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who lobbied for his preferred candidate, Claire Valdez, to receive the Working Families Party’s endorsement.

Claire Valdez

An Assemblywoman from Queens and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, who was the candidate Mayor Mamdani had recruited to run and lobbied for the Working Families Party to endorse.

Jasmine Gripper

The director of the Working Families Party, who said that Mr. Reynoso’s progressive track record earned him the party’s endorsement.

Nydia M. Velázquez

The retiring congresswoman whose seat is being contested, and who was whipping votes for Mr. Reynoso according to sources.

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What they’re saying

“Antonio has the record of delivering for our communities. That put him head and shoulders above others, and got him the overwhelming majority of the vote.”

— Jasmine Gripper, Working Families Party director (New York Times)

“Personal relationships and institutional connections play a significant role in these kinds of decisions. But voters understand the urgent need to fundamentally change who has power in this country, and because of that, Claire Valdez will be a member of Congress come next year.”

— Morris Katz, Top adviser to Mayor Mamdani and campaign worker for Claire Valdez (New York Times)

What’s next

The race in New York’s Seventh District is one of a handful of high-profile Democratic House primaries playing out across the city this June. The Working Families leadership also decided on Monday not to take a position yet in the crowded Democratic race to succeed Representative Jerrold Nadler, who is retiring after decades representing the 12th District in Manhattan.

The takeaway

The Working Families Party’s endorsement of Antonio Reynoso over Mayor Mamdani’s preferred candidate, Claire Valdez, highlights the challenges the mayor faces in using his political influence to elevate fellow democratic socialists in congressional and state races across New York City. The party’s decision reflects Reynoso’s strong progressive credentials and the broader set of interests the party represents, beyond just the mayor’s agenda.