Samantha Kattan
{Samantha Maria Kattan lives in Brooklyn. From Austin Texas.
Education
The University of Texas at Austin, Master's degree, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning, 2012 - 2014.
Activities and societies: UT CRP Student Organization.
Boston University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Sociology, 2005 - 2009.
DSA Assembly candidates
In 2026 Democratic Socialists of America New York State Assembly candidates were Samantha Kattan - Queens, Illapa Sairitupac - Lower East Side, Conrad Blackburn, Eon Huntley - Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, Diana Moreno, David Orkin, Christian Celeste Tate - Bushwick.[1]
Assembly run
In 2026 Socialist tenant organizer Samantha Kattan has filed to run for Assembly District 37 in western Queens, hoping to succeed Assembly Member Claire Valdez who’s planning to run for Congress.
“Assembly Member Valdez is a powerhouse fighter for the residents of AD37,” Kattan told City & State in a text message confirming her plans. “I’m exploring a run for assembly to ensure that the working class of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and Ridgewood continue to have excellent representation in Albany, should she choose to run for another office.”
Kattan filed with the state Board of Elections on Dec. 31 and has already launched an ActBlue page to begin raising funds for her Assembly run. She currently works as director of contracts at the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, a nonprofit organization that helps tenants create housing co-ops. Kattan said she’s lived in the district, in Ridgewood, for more than five years.
Both Kattan and Valdez are members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Kattan joined the socialist group in 2017 and has played a key role in its electoral strategy. In 2019, she helped launch fellow tenant activist Phara Souffrant Forrest’s successful Assembly campaign in Brooklyn.
With Valdez now widely expected to run for the open House seat in the 7th Congressional District following Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s planned retirement, DSA hoped to find a suitable replacement for her in the left-leaning district in the heart of the “Commie Corridor.” Mamdani beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo by 54 points in the final round of the Democratic mayoral primary in Valdez’s district. That’s where Kattan comes in.
“As a tenant organizer, socialist and mother, I would be ready on Day 1 to fight for my community if the opportunity arises, and I would look forward to hearing from members during the DSA endorsement process,” she said.[2]
"No Dudes Allowed"
Members of the Democratic Socialists of America **No Dudes Allowed** maybe Dank Meme Stash members, as of November 2, 2017 included Samantha Kattan.[3]