Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Current Occupation: City Councilmember
Previous Occupation(s): Director of Field Services, NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF)
Education: SUNY New Paltz
Organizational Affiliations: Co-Founder, Campaign for Fiscal Equity; Co-Chair, City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus; Chair, City Council Education Committee
Prior Public Experience: President, Community School Board 6 (CSB6)
1. What is the most important issue in Manhattan you would address if elected?
Education. It is the key to opportunity and can change everything. We must place it in the hands of every child. I will continue my work to give every child the opportunity for the best education possible.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
Strengthening our economy and creating opportunities so progress is shared by all; Protecting our seniors, and making sure Manhattan stays affordable, and that we don't squeeze out the middle and working class, so hard working and older Manhattanites can stay here and young people can start here; Fighting for justice and equality for all and against bigotry and intolerance everywhere; and above all, protecting the safety and security of our people, both from crime on the street and from natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
I am a product of NYC's public schools; a former Community School Board President who sued the State to fix a broken school funding formula that cheated our children, walked 150 miles to Albany to build support for the cause and won a court judgment that brought home $16 billion for NYC public school children; and a City Council leader who has taken on the tough fights and gotten results. I know Manhattan -- its people, its problems and its promise. I am ready to lead this borough and be an advocate for our children, a fighter for our neighborhoods and an energetic leader for all of Manhattan. Many can talk the talk, but you can count on me to walk the walk – to stand on principle, take on the status quo and fight for you. That is what I've done. That is what I will do as your Manhattan Borough President.
Reprinted as supplied by the candidate. Participating in the NYC Campaign Finance Program.
This Guide lists all candidates who appear to be on the ballot for the primary 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.
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