Latinos Against Socialism Calls for Investigation into Petition Irregularities as Race Sharpens: Reynoso & Rajkumar vs. Valdez & Orkin

Latinos Against Socialism has called for an immediate investigation into what it describes as a pattern of irregularities in campaign petitions filed by Claire Valdez and David Orkin, raising concerns about “potential fraud” and their eligibility to “qualify” for the ballot.

According to a statement from the organization, a review of the petition filings identified multiple instances of questionable signatures and inconsistencies that may violate New York election law. The group said the findings raise concerns about whether the campaigns met the legal threshold required to appear on the ballot, prompting calls for scrutiny by election authorities.

“This is not a technicality—this is about the integrity of our democracy,” said a spokesperson for Latinos Against Socialism. “New Yorkers deserve free and fair elections, and that begins with campaigns that follow the law. If you can’t qualify honestly, you shouldn’t be on the ballot.”

The statement said the issue has sharpened contrasts in the race, presenting what it described as a choice between established community leadership and candidates supported by outside political interests.

It noted that Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso have longstanding ties to their communities. Reynoso, the son of Dominican immigrants, was raised in Brooklyn and has focused on advocacy for working families. 

Rajkumar, identified in the statement as the first South Asian woman elected to New York State office and the first daughter of immigrants to represent her district, has emphasized expanding opportunity and strengthening neighborhoods in Queens.

“On the other side are Claire Valdez and David Orkin—transplants from Texas and Arizona, respectively, backed by outside political interests and now facing serious questions about how their campaigns sought ballot access,” the statement said.

Latinos Against Socialism also raised broader concerns about the campaigns’ outreach and messaging.

“These outsiders are attempting to tokenize and take advantage of Black and brown communities in Brooklyn and Queens for their own political gain,” the spokesperson said. “Our communities are not stepping stones. We are not props for political ambition—we are voters, families, and neighborhoods that deserve respect and real representation.”

The organization added that some voters feel the campaigns’ messaging does not reflect the lived experiences, priorities, or values of the communities they aim to represent.

The statement further said the petition concerns come amid broader questions about “authenticity and alignment.” It cited David Orkin’s campaign messaging, alleging that he has described himself as the “son of a Mexican immigrant,” and argued that such claims have raised concerns among some Latino voters about representation and tone.

“When a candidate uses alleged Latino heritage as a talking point while talking down to the very people he claims to represent, it raises real concerns about authenticity. Latino immigrants are not defined by hardship alone,” the spokesperson said. “Our community is built on hard work, faith, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of opportunity.”

The organization noted that New York election law requires candidates to gather valid signatures from registered voters within their district, adding that any falsification or misrepresentation undermines the democratic process.

“When rules are bent or ignored, it’s not just a campaign issue—it’s a threat to public trust,” the statement said.

Latinos Against Socialism called on election officials to conduct a “full, transparent, and expedited review” of the petitions submitted by Valdez and Orkin, and to take appropriate action if violations are found.

“This election should be decided by voters—not by political machines gaming the system,” added the statement.

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