Mamdani-backed Queens pol opposed on line casino venture close to Citi Field whereas taking tribal gaming money

A DSA longshot for a New York City congressional seat yearly accepts as a lot as $20,000 from a Texas on line casino regardless of voting to foil a union-backed gaming venture in her personal borough, The Post has discovered. 

Zohran Mamdani-backed Assemblymember Claire Valdez rakes in between $5,000 and $20,000 every year as a member of the tribal nation Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, which will get 60% of its income from the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center on line casino in El Paso, based on disclosures. 

But Valdez, who has a notably skinny political resume, sided along with her socialist comrades in voting towards a on line casino opening close to Citi Field.

She was one in every of simply two Queens lawmakers to vote towards the proposed gaming complicated – coined “Metropolitan Park” — which builders say would generate roughly 23,000 union jobs and over $1 billion in group advantages.

The invoice, which handed the state Assembly in May, will enable public park property to be alienated and bought to New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen to construct the $8 billion Metropolitan Park on line casino, so long as the town approves the bid. 

Valdez informed The Post she collects on line casino funds as a tribal citizen of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo nation — a gaggle that was displaced from current day New Mexico through the Spanish colonial interval.

“Like many Indigenous communities where options for economic development are limited, the Nation operates a business with a casino gaming license and distributes a share of profits to enrolled citizens like myself,” she stated.

Despite her opposition to the pending Queens on line casino, Valdez backed an almost similar invoice to permit a President Trump-tied Bally’s on line casino — previously Trump Links — alongside The Bronx waterfront. 

The Bally’s proposal would lead to a $115 million payout to the Trump Organization.  

“Many constituents and residents across Queens vocally opposed the Metropolitan Park casino project. I cast my vote with them,” Valdez defined, whereas stopping wanting justifying her Bally’s vote.

Valdez’s run for the NY-7 congressional seat has the backing of fellow Democratic socialist Mamdani, who jeopardized his relationship with Rep. Nydia Velazquez. 

The endorsement ticked off the retiring consultant, who has since put her weight behind Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.