Max Politics Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Antonio Reynoso on His Bid for Congress in NY-7
Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Ben Max
Guest: Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President and Democratic candidate for Congress, NY-7

Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President and a leading Democratic candidate for New York’s 7th Congressional District. Host Ben Max and Reynoso discuss the contours and challenges of NY-7, campaign priorities, housing and affordability, immigration enforcement, intra-party divisions, foreign policy, and the dynamics of this highly watched Congressional primary to replace the retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez.

The conversation provides a detailed look at Reynoso’s platform, how he distinguishes himself from his opponents, and his thoughts on local and national Democratic leadership.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Defining NY-7: Demographics, Issues, and Identity

• Neighborhoods & Diversity:
  Reynoso describes NY-7 as a “super progressive, very young, diverse district,” composed of neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick, East New York, Cypress Hills in Brooklyn, and Sunnyside, LIC, Astoria, Glendale, Maspeth, Ridgewood in Queens.
  (08:05)

• Majority-Minority History:
  He notes the importance of Rep. Nydia Velázquez in championing the district as a majority-minority area, especially for Latinos.

• Central Concerns:
  “The common denominators, whether you got here five days ago or been here for 50 years, is affordable housing, affordability for child care… and also just pushing back against the nonsense and the rhetoric of the Trump administration when they talk about immigrants and pushing ICE into our streets.” (10:16)

2. Affordability, Housing, and NYCHA

• Personal Experience:
  Reynoso grounds his housing policy in his personal experience growing up in Section 8 housing.
  “I was a kid that was raised in Section 8 housing in this district, and government really showed up for me in a real way.” (12:36)

• Federal Policy Priorities:

  • Expand Section 8 vouchers, currently “frozen at the federal level.”
  • Remove the Faircloth Amendment to allow new federal public housing construction.
  • Increase federal support for NYCHA maintenance and capital repairs.

• NYCHA Debate:
  Reynoso pushes back against the prevailing narrative that NYCHA is a failure:

  “NYCHA is the most successful affordable housing program in the history of this country. …We just need to be able to not allow for elected officials to touch this money that is there specifically to maintain these housing.” (14:42)

• Infill Controversy:
  Reynoso is skeptical of relying on building additional housing on NYCHA land, advocating instead for spreading new development to high-opportunity, affluent neighborhoods:

  “It's easy to build in Black and brown poor neighborhoods… The best place to raise a child is in Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. …Why not build in those areas and allow for those opportunities…” (19:20)

3. Immigration, ICE, and Federal Enforcement

• Central Stance:
  Reynoso calls for the abolishment of ICE, tying the cause to both his own City Council experience and a more community-driven movement:

  “Anything that's not the beginning of the abolishment of ICE is not meeting the moment. …ICE is… right now, it's terrorizing our streets, especially in New York City where immigrants are deep and [an] important part of what makes us amazing.” (26:05)

• On Democratic Leadership:
  He believes Democratic leaders (like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer) have not shown a “crisis-level response” to Republican attacks, urging more assertive use of Congressional power to force progress. (25:07, 27:09)

• On Enforcement vs. Abolition:
  Reynoso clarifies that criminal deportation processes predated ICE and don’t rely on expansive, militarized enforcement:

  “We already had a system by which we can remove criminals from this country. ICE is unnecessary to make that happen.” (28:26)

4. Building on Velázquez’s Legacy and Puerto Rico

• Personal and Policy Plans:
  Reyes plans to champion Velázquez’s legacy of “hard work, honesty, sincerity, and accountability,” especially regarding Puerto Rican self-determination.

  “Nydia played [the role of federal representative for Puerto Rico]. …I want to do the best I can to continue that advocacy…” (31:42, 33:49)

• He favors facilitating a federal process for Puerto Ricans to decide their own future, resisting outside interference.

5. Congressional Leadership and Intra-Party Politics

• Investigative Emphasis:
  If Democrats retake the House, Reynoso wants to use oversight powers robustly:

  “We should be investigating, we should be subpoenaing, bringing subpoenas to people. …Let's use it and hold people accountable and investigate, investigate, investigate.” (36:06)

• Democratic Leadership:
  He pledges to support Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker, calling for party unity to stand against Republicans and Trump. Refrains from commenting on Chuck Schumer’s Senate leadership. (37:45, 38:30)

• Who Leads the National Party?
  Reynoso points to AOC as the embodiment of “what the future of the Democratic Party looks like,” crediting her and other progressives for pressing issues that establishment Dems have ignored. (39:29)

• Internal Divides:
  Identifies the real Democratic divide as “corporate Democrats versus everyone else,” not strictly ideological:

  “If we as a party say we're not taking corporate PAC money… you will start seeing people vote in the interests of their constituents.” (42:30)

6. Distinctives and Campaign Dynamics

• What Sets Him Apart:
  Reynoso highlights his effective, issue-driven record and “getting things done,” including:

  • Police reform: “Right to Know” Act.
  • Commercial waste zones overhaul.
  • COVID outdoor dining legislation.
  • Investment in maternal health.

  “The policy differences are going to be far and few in between, but the work that I've done, the meaningful work that I've done, is going to be very apparent…” (44:33, 46:57)

• Israel and Gaza:
  Reynoso clarifies that, as borough president, he focused on keeping the peace locally, but agrees Congressional leadership should condition or halt aid to Israel over its actions in Gaza:

  “We would hold back not only offensive and defensive weapons, it’s just any aid until we see a change… we won’t support war crimes and genocide.” (50:48)

• Field and Ground Game:
  Claims a strong, diverse organizational network and expects robust union and community support to rival DSA’s ground game for Valdez:

  “The organizing history of this district is going to rise up… We're going to match it with a diverse coalition.” (52:53)

• Favoritism in the Race:
  When asked if he’s the favorite:

  “I'm not Andrew Cuomo and I'm not Eric Adams and she's not Zoran Mamdani. …When it comes down to it, I think people are going to want somebody that knows the district but also gets the work done." (55:31)

7. Relationships, Endorsements, and Loyalty

• Velázquez and DSA Rift:
  Reynoso suggests the primary’s tense divisions might have been avoided with better communication, emphasizing previous successful alliances with DSA.

  “We've done so much work with the DSA in this district… I'm working. I'll work with them now, and we'll be working with them in the future.” (57:23)

• Endorsements in the Race:
  Says he most sought Velázquez’s backing but would welcome all endorsements, including AOC’s. Plans no cross-endorsements or involvement in other races. (58:58, 59:46, 60:33)

8. Why Run for Congress?

• Why Congress, Not Borough President?:
  Reynoso frames it as a response to the federal crisis and a desire to continue Velázquez’s legacy at a time when he feels the city and state are in better hands.

  “I think the crisis of the moment is in the federal government. …I really believe that I’m the best candidate and the best, best position to push back against all the madness that's happening in Congress, in the federal government and Trump.” (61:57)

• On Identity and Representation:
  Notes the importance of expanding Dominican representation in federal government.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “NYCHA is the most successful affordable housing program in the history of this country.” — Antonio Reynoso (14:42)
• “Anything that's not the beginning of the abolishment of ICE is not meeting the moment.” (26:05)
• “I see [Alexandria] Ocasio Cortez as somebody that I want to model, that I want to be around, that I want to make sure is supported by the work that I'm doing.” (39:29)
• “The real Democratic divide is corporate Democrats versus everyone else.” (42:30)
• “I did radical things while I was there. I had tough fights while I was there. I fought party bosses, I fought speakers, I fought mayors, all to look out for the interests of my people.” (44:33)
• “We would hold back not only offensive and defensive weapons, it's just any aid [to Israel] until we see a change…” (50:48)
• “I'm not Andrew Cuomo and I'm not Eric Adams and she's not Zoran Mamdani.” (55:31)
• “I really believe that I’m the best candidate and the best…position to push back against all the madness that's happening in Congress, in the federal government and Trump.” (61:57)

Key Segment Timestamps

• [08:05] - Describing NY-7 and its demographics
• [10:16] - Shared district concerns: affordability, immigration
• [12:36] - Personal story and housing policy
• [14:42] - NYCHA: successes and needs
• [19:20] - On building affordable housing in affluent areas
• [21:47] - Abolish ICE: policy and political movement
• [31:42], [33:49] - Building on Velázquez’s legacy and Puerto Rico
• [36:06] - If Democrats regain power: priorities and oversight
• [39:29] - Thoughts on party leadership, endorsement of AOC’s model
• [42:30] - Intra-party divisions: corporate Dems vs. others
• [44:33], [46:57] - What sets Reynoso apart as a candidate
• [50:48] - Israel/Gaza: “We won’t support war crimes and genocide.”
• [52:53] - Campaign ground game and field operations
• [55:31] - Who’s the favorite in the primary?
• [57:23] - Relations with DSA, Velázquez, party unity
• [58:58] - Pursuing endorsements (AOC, etc.)
• [61:57] - Why run for Congress over remaining Borough President?

Summary Judgment

This episode provides a comprehensive, energetic, and unapologetically progressive account of why Antonio Reynoso is seeking a seat in Congress and how he would distinguish himself in both policies and approach. He identifies clear priorities: bolstering affordability and public housing, pushing for major immigration enforcement reform, providing strong oversight of the federal government, and advancing Democratic unity with a populist, anti-corporate posture. Reynoso’s deep roots in the district, his focus on “getting things done,” and his connections across grassroots, labor, and political spheres form the backbone of his appeal in a pivotal Democratic primary.