Samantha Kattan, a dedicated tenant organizer associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has officially announced her candidacy for Assembly District 37 in western Queens. Kattan is set to succeed current Assembly Member Claire Valdez, who is expected to run for Congress.
Samantha Kattan’s Assembly District 37 Campaign
Kattan filed her candidacy with the New York State Board of Elections on December 31. She aims to maintain strong representation for the working class residents of areas such as Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and Ridgewood.
Background and Experience
Currently, Kattan serves as the Director of Contracts at the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping tenants establish housing cooperatives. Kattan has lived in the Ridgewood area for over five years.
Connection to Claire Valdez and the DSA
- Kattan and Valdez share membership in the DSA.
- Kattan joined the organization in 2017 and has significantly influenced its electoral strategies.
- In 2019, she contributed to the successful Assembly campaign of Phara Souffrant Forrest in Brooklyn.
As Valdez prepares to run for the House seat in the 7th Congressional District, the DSA is working to identify a qualified successor for her. Recent electoral trends indicate a favorable landscape for progressive candidates in this left-leaning district, known colloquially as the “Commie Corridor.”
Upcoming Events and Predictions
Kattan expressed her readiness to advocate for her community immediately, stating, “As a tenant organizer, socialist, and mother, I would be prepared on Day 1.” The DSA has planned a candidate forum for January 14 to discuss endorsements for both the congressional and Assembly District 37 races.
According to sources within the DSA, Kattan is currently the sole candidate being evaluated for endorsement in the Assembly race, indicating a strong likelihood of her receiving DSA’s support. This endorsement would position her as the seventh active Assembly candidate backed by the organization in this election cycle.
As the political landscape evolves, Samantha Kattan’s campaign represents a growing movement for tenant rights and progressive policies in New York. Her efforts aim to ensure that the voices of working-class communities in Assembly District 37 remain heard and represented in Albany.
