New York House candidate Claire Valdez is refusing to back down from her pledge to fight “fascism” and “empire” in Congress, doubling down Monday after Republicans attacked her for a post she made celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day.
Valdez, running on a democratic socialist platform in a deep blue New York City district, has called for “universal rent control” and “queer and trans liberation” as part of her campaign. Her latest statement came after GOP critics labeled her un-American over her Independence Day remarks.
Valdez Fires Back at Republican Critics
In a lengthy social media post, Valdez took direct aim at her opponents. On Mexican Independence Day, I posted about my heritage with pride, and the right lost its mind. Republicans called me un-American,” she wrote. “So I’ll say it again: I will fight empire, and the fascists and war profiteers who serve it, whether they attack working people inside our borders or outside them.”
She also pledged to “fight for a free Palestine” and “abolish ICE” if elected. Pointing to Puerto Rico as a U.S. colony, she added, “I’ll be meeting with Puerto Ricans fighting for basic dignity and the right to decide their own future. And I will commit to fighting alongside them, and with working people all over the world who are standing up for what we deserve. Solidarity forever. Free Palestine. F*ck ICE.”
Valdez made similar waves last week when she shared a photo of herself meeting with “comrades” from Morena, a left-wing political party in Mexico. “215 years ago, Mexicans fought an empire that demanded our land and our labor. And we won. I’ll carry that fight with me to Congress as New York’s first Mexican American representative,” she said in that post. You can read more about Claire Valdez’s congressional campaign remarks and the Republican response that followed.
Rep. Brandon Gill Hits Back
House Republicans wasted little time pushing back. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) responded sharply to Valdez’s Independence Day post. Not sure if you’re aware of this, but you will be representing the United States of America in Congress and not Mexico,” Gill said.
The criticism centered on what Republicans described as Valdez prioritizing loyalty to Mexico over her obligations to American voters, a charge she dismissed as a right-wing smear against her heritage.
It’s likely that President Donald Trump would enjoy this comment from Brandon Gill, one of the GOP’s best new representatives.
What Comes Next for Valdez’s Campaign
Valdez won her Democratic primary with the backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, giving her significant institutional support heading into the general election. Her district’s deep blue lean makes her a heavy favorite in November.
Her Independence Day posts drew far more attention than her Fourth of July messaging, in which she attacked billionaires and called for Puerto Rico’s liberation. With the general election approaching, Valdez shows no sign of moderating her platform or her rhetoric.
It’s obvious that Valdez has no real agenda or place in American politics.
