Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Current Occupation: Full-time candidate for Queens Borough President.
Previous Occupation(s): New York City Council Member (2002-2009); Director of Community Boards, Queens Borough President's Office (1999-2002); New York State Assembly Member (1994-1998); Attorney
Education: J.D., St. John's University School of Law; B.A., University of Mass., Hillcrest High School
Organizational Affiliations: former Board Member, Queens Symphony Orchestra; former Board Member, Queens Jewish Community Council; District Leader, Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club
Prior Public Experience: Council Member and Chair of Land Use Committee; Director of Community Boards, Queens Borough President's Office; New York State Assembly Member.
1. What is the most important issue in Queens you would address if elected?
We need to make Queens a great place for middle-class families to live, work and raise a family. That means creating good jobs in all parts of Queens by revitalizing vacant industrial areas, making sure we have high-performing schools and homes that are affordable for seniors and middle-class families.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
Smartly rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will have to be a top priority, so our communities are prepared for the next storm. We also need to make sure our streets are safe by reducing gangs and gun violence, giving kids good after-school options and reforming current stop-and-frisk policies to make them effective and fair. Finally, I will use my experience as Chair of the Council's Land Use Committee to create more affordable housing while preserving the character of our neighborhoods.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
As someone who was born and raised in Queens, I'm deeply connected to our borough and happy to be raising my two young boys here. I've served in City and State government, and worked as Director of Community Boards under Borough President Claire Shulman. I am dedicated to bringing Queens' varied communities together, finding common ground and delivering progressive solutions that work.
Reprinted as supplied by the candidate. Participating in the Campaign Finance Program.
This Guide lists all candidates who appear to be on the ballot for the general election based on the latest information obtained from the New York City Board of Elections, even if a candidate did not submit a profile or record a video for the Guide. Profiles and video scripts were submitted to the CFB by the candidates and are reprinted as supplied, except in the case of egregious errors and minor formatting issues, which may be corrected by the CFB. Videos appearing in this Guide were recorded and approved for broadcast by the candidates. All the candidates have affirmed under penalty of perjury that the information in their profiles and videos is true to the best of their knowledge. Website and social media links were supplied by the candidates. The CFB is not responsible for non-working links, although it does correct or remove them to the extent practicable. The CFB removes links that are not campaign-related.
The views expressed in the candidate profiles, videos, and linked materials do not represent those of the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
