Socialist candidate Claire Valdez is facing calls for a federal investigation after pledging to carry a "fight" inspired by Mexico's independence into Congress and disclosing meetings with members of Mexico's ruling left-wing party.
Valdez, who is seeking the seat of retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez in New York's 7th Congressional District, is facing scrutiny under the Logan Act, a law that criminalizes unauthorized private citizens' efforts to influence foreign governments in disputes involving the U.S. Critics have urged the State Department to investigate her communications.
Immigration attorney Alicia Nieves tweeted at Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, suggesting an investigation into Valdez's statements. Nieves cited Valdez's disclosure of meetings with members of Morena, Mexico's ruling party, and her characterization of the U.S. as an "empire" that has "stolen from us."
"Given that she is currently a congressional nominee, not a member of Congress, and appears to have discussed facilitating support contrary to current U.S. policy as well as describing our country an ‘empire’ that has ‘stolen from us’… I hope the administration will review whether these communications warrant investigation under the Logan Act," Nieves stated.
Valdez, in a social media post, wrote, "215 years ago, Mexicans fought an empire that demanded our land and our labor. And we won." She added, "I'll carry that fight with me to Congress as New York's first Mexican-American representative. And I'm strengthened not just by Mexico's history but its present."
She described meeting "comrades" in the Morena Party who are "standing up to the empires and corporations that have always taken from us — and building a government for the working class. Viva la Independencia, Viva México!"
The Logan Act, enacted in 1799, arose from concerns about private citizens interfering with U.S. foreign policy. It has been invoked against various public figures, including former President Donald Trump and former Sen. John Kerry, though no conviction has ever resulted from its application.
Critics have also pointed to Valdez's father's connection to a company that helped construct a Texas immigration facility, suggesting a conflict with her opposition to immigration enforcement. Valdez is slated to face Republican community organizer Melvin Rivera in the November general election.