Federal
U.S. Representative, 7th Congressional District
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 2 years
- Candidates
- 3
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A U.S. representative votes on federal laws and the federal budget in the U.S. House.
Covers part of Kings County and part of Queens County. The current representative, Nydia M. Velázquez (per the House Clerk's member list), is not on the ballot.
Public safety
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports abolishing ICE and legalizing undocumented immigrants.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
- Supports requiring warrants for immigration enforcement actions.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
No documented position found.
Education
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports tuition-free public higher education.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
No documented position found.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
No documented position found.
Housing
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports repealing the Faircloth Amendment and funding NYCHA.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
- Supports a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.
- Supports an anti-flip tax on housing speculators.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
- Supports expanding housing and homeownership opportunities.
Economy & jobs
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports the PRO Act and ending at-will employment.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
No documented position found.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
No documented position found.
Environment & parks
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports a Green New Deal and freezing electricity rates.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
No documented position found.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
- Supports federal investment in clean energy and resilient infrastructure.
Health & human services
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Pledges to sponsor Medicare for All.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
- Proposes letting families keep benefits while earning more.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
- Supports coordinated services for neurodiversity and mental health.
Government & transparency
Claire ValdezDemocratic, Working Families
- Supports ending weapons sales and military aid to Israel.
Melvin RiveraRepublican, Conservative
- Supports expanding FOIL access to publicly funded entities.
Priscilla GhaznaviOur Future
- Opposes unlimited Super PAC spending in federal elections.
- Supports Voting Rights Act protections against vote dilution.
- Supports U.S. participation in the UN and NATO.
Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.