Voto Latino Honors Trailblazing Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez Upon Announcement of Her Retirement

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first Latina to represent New York in Washington, announced that she will not seek re-election, citing her commitment to making space for the next generation of leaders.

In response to the announcement, Voto Latino issued the following statement: 

“Congresswoman Velázquez made history as the first Puerto Rican woman and first Latina from New York elected to Congress, where she has spent every day proving what true public service looks like. Her historic election in 1992 broke down long-standing barriers. It became a defining moment for Latino representation, showing our communities that our stories and leadership are vital to shaping this country. Throughout her career, she has been a relentless champion for working-class and low-income New Yorkers, a fierce advocate for the enfranchisement and self-determination of Puerto Rico, and a powerful voice for Latinos in the House of Representatives. 

Her legacy is one of opening doors and lifting others up. She has steered forward the next generation of Latino leaders who will continue representing our community from the halls of Congress and beyond.

Voto Latino deeply admires her unwavering commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and building a more inclusive democracy. Her historic accomplishments and impact will be felt for decades to come, and we are profoundly grateful for her extraordinary service.”

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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.