The newly picked New York Democratic nominee for the House, Claire Valdez, has called for abolishing the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck and ultimately nationalizing the airline industry, positions that are likely to draw scrutiny as Democrats grapple with the rise of the party’s socialist wing.
Valdez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso-backed rivals by roughly 20 points to secure the Democratic nomination for an open House seat following the retirement of Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). She was among a slate of left-wing candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani that scored decisive victories in New York City’s House primaries Tuesday.
“My hot take is we need to abolish PreCheck,” Valdez said during a podcast appearance. “I’ve got like a million beefs with the airline industry … we need to nationalize the airline industry, but let’s start by abolishing PreCheck.”
TSA PreCheck is a paid travel status that provides access to an easier security screening line where passengers don’t have to take off their shoes or remove large electronics from their carry-on. It costs $85 for five years and is included with many credit card fees.
Valdez argued that airlines prioritize profits over consumers, citing overbooked flights, rising costs, fees, and what she described as inadequate passenger protections.
Nationalizing the industry would mean creating a federal airline treated as a public utility. It would likely lead to more standardized pricing, but would mean more red tape and regulation.
“We’re forced into these like super uncomfortable seats,” she said. “We have very few rights.”
She also criticized the Trump administration’s treatment of TSA employees and their unions.
“The airline industry is making a lot of money while constantly undermining consumer rights, nickel-and-diming us in every single facet of having to fly someplace,” Valdez said. “It’s planes or nothing if we want to get from one side of the country to the other.”
Valdez has built her campaign around affordability and economic inequality, arguing that establishment Democrats have failed to address the concerns of working-class voters adequately. Mamdani emerged as one of her most prominent allies during the race, helping raise money, offering strategic guidance, and campaigning on her behalf.
Mamdani celebrated alongside the winning candidates Tuesday evening and praised their campaigns as offering “a vision of politics that is more than what we’ve seen for so long.”
Valdez capped off her victory speech, saying, “Solidarity forever, abolish [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], free Palestine, organize your union, and join DSA.”
The results have fueled Republican attacks on Democrats’ leftward shift. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Wednesday on Capitol Hill, predicted the rise of socialist candidates would benefit Republicans in the midterm elections.
BYRON YORK: THE DEMOCRATIC DEBATE IS OVER. THE LEFT WON
“They want a lot of communists,” Trump said. “The people that they’re pushing are communists, and this country is not going to have communists.”
Trump argued that socialism and communism have repeatedly failed throughout history and said the trend “should make it easier for Republicans because most of the nation is composed of sane people.”