NEW YORK – Esteemed New York Representative Nydia Velázquez, affectionately dubbed “La Luchadora” for her tenacious spirit, has declared her intention to retire next year, concluding a remarkable career that spans over 30 years in Congress.

At 72, Velázquez becomes the second veteran Democratic representative from New York to announce her departure, following closely on the heels of Rep. Jerry Nadler, 78, who revealed in September his plans to step down at the end of his term.

Velázquez, who holds the historic title of being the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, expressed that serving the people of New York City has been an unparalleled honor and privilege throughout her tenure.

“Deciding to retire was not easy, but I feel it is the right moment for me to step aside and allow a new generation of leaders to emerge,” Velázquez stated, reflecting on her decision in a public announcement.

Her impending departure, which follows the recent election of 34-year-old Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as the city’s next mayor, sets the stage for a competitive race in her predominantly Democratic district, encompassing key areas of Brooklyn and Queens.

Velázquez, in Congress since 1993, is a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is currently the ranking member on the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee.

Velázquez backed Mamdani in the city’s ranked-choice mayoral primary, endorsing him along with two other candidates in a bid to stop former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s attempt at a political comeback.

The mayor-elect, in a social media post, praised Velázquez as “a champion and tireless advocate for immigrants, small businesses and working families.”

“Your grace and fight showed us what real leadership looks like. From the bottom of my heart, thank you La Luchadora,” Mamdani wrote.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who served in Congress with Velázquez, said she “has never forgotten where she came from, and she has never stopped fighting for the people she serves.”