Claire Valdez Wants to Be Your Artist in Congress

After getting a Democratic Socialist Muslim mayor and winning its first NBA championship in 53 years, NY's next big surprise could be a congresswoman who is also an artist and art worker. NYS Assembly Member Claire Valdez, a union organizer at heart, is running for NY's 7th Congressional District in the US House. Valdez stands for abolishing ICE, taxing the rich, Medicare and unions for all, universal rent control, and a free Palestine. She spoke with Hyperallergic about her life as a painter, political origin story, and big plans for Washington. She notes, the purpose of our movement is to make sure that anyone can be an artist, that everyone has the time off, and the living wages, and the healthcare, and the space to pursue passions, to spend time with family, to live a good life. That's not on offer right now from the Democratic Party, certainly not from the Trump administration.