Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo
Nydia Velázquez headshot

Rep. Nydia Velázquez

D New York, 12th (1993-2013), 7th (2013-) In Office

PowerBrief
×

PowerBrief gives you all the information you need about members of Congress and their staff in one printable PDF document. It is the perfect solution for getting you and your colleagues prepared to work with Capitol Hill.


If you are a LegiStorm Pro subscriber, log in now to get unlimited PowerBrief downloads.


Biographical

  • Full Name: Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano
  • Gender: Female Female
  • Pronunciation: NIH-dee-uh veh-LAS-kez
  • Date of Birth: March 28, 1953 (age: 71)
  • Place of Birth: Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
  • Religion: Roman Catholic
  • Hometown: Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
  • Place of Residence: Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Previous Occupation: Professor
Family:
Previous relationship: Paul Bader printer Divorced, Nov. 18, 2000
Previous relationship Divorced
Biography:
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez has made history several times during her tenure in Congress. In 1992, she was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In February 1998, she was named Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Member of a full House committee. Most recently, in 2006, she was named Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Latina to chair a full congressional committee.

Given these achievements, her roots are humble. She was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico - a small town of sugar-cane fields - in 1953, and was one of nine children. Velázquez started school early, skipped several grad See more >>

Education

Office History

Congressional Offices:

Election Results

  • 2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)
    7th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 81.25%
    Democrat
    Brian W. Kelly, 13.83%
    Republican
  • 2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)
    7th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 93.00%
    Democrat
    Joseph Lieberman, 6.00%
    Republican
    Jeffrey Kurzon, 1.00%
    Reform Party
  • 2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)
    7th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 90.66%
    Democrat, Women's Equality Party
    Allan E. Romaguera, 9.20%
    Republican, Conservative
  • 2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)
    7th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 82.59%
    Democrat
    Jose Luis Fernandez, 8.34%
    Republican
    Allan E Romaguera, 2.04%
    Conservative
  • 2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)
    7th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 79.03%
    Democrat
    James Murray, 4.37%
    Conservative
  • 2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 79.10%
    Democrat
    Alice Gaffney, 5.17%
    Conservative
  • 2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 67.64%
    Democrat
    Allan E Romaguera, 7.56%
    Republican
  • 2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 74.51%
    Democrat
    Allan Romaguera, 8.51%
    Republican
  • 2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 65.99%
    Democrat
    Paul A Rodriguez, 10.51%
    Republican
  • 2003 (Nov. 5, 2002 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 57.11%
    Democrat
    Cesar Estevez, 2.50%
    Conservative
  • 2001 (Nov. 7, 2000 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 64.37%
    Democrat
    Rosemary Markgraf, 7.50%
    Republican
  • 1999 (Nov. 3, 1998 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 65.18%
    Democrat
    Rosemarie Markgraf, 7.84%
    Republican
    Angel Diaz, 2.00%
    Conservative
    Hector Cortes Jr, 1.32%
    Liberal
  • 1997 (Nov. 5, 1996 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 61.80%
    Democrat
    Miguel I Prado, 9.96%
    Republican
    Eleanor Garcia, 1.28%
    Socialist
  • 1995 (Nov. 8, 1994 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 59.21%
    Democrat
    Genevieve R Brennan, 4.07%
    Conservative
  • 1993 (Nov. 3, 1992 election)
    12th Congressional District of New York
    Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (Nydia Velázquez), 53.53%
    Democrat
    Angel Diaz, 14.33%
    Republican
    Ruben Franco, 1.49%
    Liberal

Employment History

Associated Organizations

Election campaign: Own leadership PAC: Board membership: Board membership: Public office:

Awards

Activities and Interests

  • Hobbies: biking, kayaking, Broadway musicals, dancing
  • Languages: Spanish (native speaker)

Official Signature

Official signature

Contact Information

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address: 2302 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3207
Phone: 202-225-2361
Fax: 202-226-0327
View Larger Map

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.16
(House Average: 0.25)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $86,792.80
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

Caucuses

Fun Fact

Nydia Velázquez is not only the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress, but she is also the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Member and Chair of a House standing committee.

Caught Our Eye