Antonio Reynoso, a Brooklyn native who now serves as borough president after a stint on the City Council, is seeking to represent New York’s 7th Congressional District.
Unlike his three opponents in this heated race, Julie Won, Claire Valdez and Vichal Kumar, Reynoso has the support of outgoing Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, a mentor.
“What she showed me is that even when it’s tough, even when you feel alone, always do what’s right for your community, no matter what,” he said.
The Brooklynite has worked with community members throughout his political career, and a major problem he has heard from residents stems from affordability. One way to tackle the thorny issue is through housing, he said.
“We haven't seen housing, Section 8 vouchers or Section 8 opportunities for like 20 years in New York,” he said. “When I get to Congress, I'm [going to] be able to fight to unlock resources, so we can be a partner in helping to build a ton of affordable housing.”
This is a personal fight for Reynoso, as he grew up in Section 8 housing in Williamsburg.
“Because I have a lived experience, my commitment to affordable housing is deeply rooted in who I am and how I grew up,” he said.
He knows district members are not happy with President Donald Trump's economic agenda.
“They're seeing cost of gas go up. They're seeing the cost of goods go up because of tariffs, because of wars that are illegal and unnecessary,” he said. “We're going to build a country that works for them. There is a system that exists in this country that builds and makes trillionaires, but doesn't support the other 80% of the country that is struggling right now.”
Reynoso said he would fight for a 'work-first' economy that promotes livable wages, union support and tax-the-rich policies. Education is also a top priority, and Reynoso seeks to rebuild the U.S. Department of Education, which Trump significantly weakened, to secure funds for Title I schools.
“There are so many things that our children need in regards to resources that were provided by the Department of Education at the federal level that no longer exists,” he said.
During his time as borough president, Reynoso worked closely with immigrants by creating a shelter initiative and launching the “Our City, Our Sanctuary” program so immigrants knew their rights. If elected, Reynoso hopes to expand on this work.
“When I go to Congress, I will make sure that we have paths to legal citizenship for undocumented individuals, so that's something I would, I'll be taking with me from Borough Hall,” he said.
Reynoso supports the mask ban for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and if elected, he plans to abolish the agency. Other important issues include Medicare for all, protecting the environment, reproductive justice and fighting for Puerto Rico.
Although Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed his opponent Valdez, Reynoso said he will continue to work closely with him.
“He is one of the faces of the progressive movement, and if he does well, more progressives will get elected,” Reynoso said. “So, I am focused on making sure that the Zohran Mamdani agenda is achieved, and I'm looking forward to being his partner once I win on June 23.”
