Williamsburg, NY – Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez told residents in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Monday, “We have to fight to make sure we get this economy back on track,” but she may have to fight for more than that.
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Velazquez has to fight to keep her seat in Congress, as for the first time in 20 years, she faces a serious primary challenge, from City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan.
With a new district stretching farther into Northern Brooklyn, the candidates will likely fight over territory in Williamsburg, where the factions of the Satmar Jewish community have split.
So on Monday, with young children in tow, Velazquez took her stumping to Williamsburg, where she chided Mayor Michael Bloomberg for proposed budget cuts to day care and brushed off the primary challenge.
“They know my record. They will judge me and the rest of the candidates on Election Day based on what they know of every candidate, what they know about me, and, believe me, I feel very good,” said Velazquez. “I have the backing of my community.”
The representative has won the backing of President Barack Obama and on Monday got the endorsement of former Mayor Ed Koch.
Meanwhile, Dilan touted his latest endorsement — the city’s construction trades.
“The biggest complaint that I get constantly is the current office holder, they never see, they never see in the neighborhood. And they think she is a Washington insider,” said Dilan.
Some see the race as the latest round between Velazquez and the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, Assemblyman Vito Lopez, as Lopez has backed Dilan.
Dilan has slammed Velazquez, claiming she has sided with big banks over small businesses, echoing a line from a website for a political action committee hoping to “Knock Out Nydia.”
“We have an incumbent that has been in the job for 20 years and has gotten pretty comfortable,” said Dilan.
The candidates will debate on “Inside City Hall” at 7 and 10 p.m. Friday.
silly fight
she got endorsements all over the place president Obama, Senator Charles chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gellibrand, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Senator denial squadron, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, all major unions in NY City NY Times, Daily News and the Post etc. I know her for many years helping the Williamsburg community especially when it comes to real complicate immigration issues, she is a strong advocate when it comes to real problem that’s securing affordable housing according to her records a 25.3 million dollar was provide in 2012 by congresswomen Velasquez that’s a big accomplishment,
Its about time Williamsburg community should have a representative in Washington DC like other parts in Brooklyn like Boro park, Flatbush, queens etc. especially she is a strong advocate the other day at the hearing in US congress to free jacob ostreicher from Bolivia prison we need to give her back in favor of Mr. ostricher
And keep praying for a safe return to the US and his beloved friends and family…
she supports Israel and will not be a puppet of the power hungry and corrupt vito lopez VOTE for NYDIA
I don’t like to vote for lopez cronies but in this case I think she signed on the bias letter to remove the siege of gaza so I don’t think she can get my vote