Nydia Velazquez

Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (born March 28, 1953) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 7th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented New York's 12th congressional district from 1993 to 2013, prior to redistricting. She chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 2009 to 2011. Velázquez is the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress. On November 20, 2025, Velázquez announced she would not run for re-election in 2026.