2012 NY-07th CD Dem Primary

The 2012 NY CD-07th Democratic primary, a contest between 20 year incumbent Nydia Velazquez and city councilperson Eric Dilan was a contentious race that saw Velazquez—with cause—charge Dilan as a pupet of the Brooklyn Borough Democratic Organization and it's boss: State Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez

Following Redistricting, Velazquez noted that Lopez—who was backing Dilan—beleived he saw an opening to throw her out of congress, with their longstanding feud providing the impetus for this primary challenge to the longtime incumbent.

Charging that she refused to engage on community issues, Lopez was quick to return the animosity that the congresswoman displayed towards the Brooklyn Democratic Chairman.

Throughout the campaign, with the charge of bossism hanging over Dilan's head, Velazquez sought to portray herself as a fighter for the district, enphasizing her fight for immigration reform, her Puerto Rican Roots, and her connections in DC and Albany

Dilan, by contrast, sought to claim he was the better connected one and that Velazquez—who repped the Satmar Orthodox Jewish congregation—was anti-israel, a charge that Velazquez wholeheartedly denied.

In the end, however, Dilan was unable to oust the congresswoman who's new district was substancially changed by a judicially drawn map—allowing for Velazquez a coronation in the General in a seat she served throughout the 2010s and to this day.

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