• Brooklyn
  • Manhattan
Friday, February 26, 2021
Newsletter
Queens County Politics
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Queens County Politics
No Result
View All Result

Van Bramer Looks Ahead To Borough President’s Race

Brandon Jordan by Brandon Jordan
February 13, 2018
in Uncategorized
2
5
SHARES
10
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Maspeth, Sunnyside, Woodside) formed a committee last week to explore a potential run as Queens Borough President in 2021.

Van Bramer, in his third and final term as a City Councilmember, explained that he enjoys public service, especially in the borough of Queens.

City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer/Facebook

“I relish the opportunity to fight for all of the people in this borough, in every neighborhood. That’s why I’ve opened the 2021 committee,” he said.

In addition to his work in the City Council, Van Bramer is no stranger to serving constituents in Queens. He oversaw expanded language classes and after-school programs while serving as the Chief External Affairs Officer at Queens Library from 1999 to 2009.

A lifelong Queens resident of Queens, Van Bramer graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School, and from St. Johns University in 1994. He also worked as a reporter for Lesbian and Gay New York (now Gay City News) a community newspaper, where he brought attention to the AIDS epidemic and bias/hate crimes.

Van Bramer is one of five openly LGBT members of the New York City Council, alongside Corey Johnson, Ritchie Torres, Daniel Dromm and Carlos Menchaca.

Van Bramer is also considered the “City Council’s Arts Champion,” according to a 2014 New York Times article. In his first term alone, he restored $575 million to New York City’s libraries and art programs. Prior to this, he served as President of the Queens Council of the Arts from 2004 to 2006.

“I want to continue to serve the borough I’ve always called home,” said Van Bramer.

The City Councilmember highlighted a few issues, from transportation to immigration rights, he would want to focus on if he does run for Queens Borough President.

He considered transportation a major issue and one that he tackled while in the City Council. The lack of sufficient trains and buses, including throughout southeastern and northeastern Queens, highlighted the significance of addressing it.

Van Bramer also talked about the importance of defending immigrants in one of the most diverse boroughs across the country.

“We can’t just proudly talk about our diversity, the number of languages spoken, and the number of countries folks that come from around the world to be here without being on the frontline of defending the rights of immigrants, including the undocumented,” he said.

Van Bramer praised the efforts of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and considers the role an honorable position.

“It would be an incredible opportunity to ensure Queens gets everything it deserve and that it’s all that it can be,” Van Bramer said.

Tags: city counciljimmy van bramerLBGT Communitymelinda katzqueensQueens Borough PresidentQueens Politics
Previous Post

Queens County Politics. Feb. 13, 2018

Next Post

Queens Lawmakers On The Move Feb. 14, 2018

Brandon Jordan

Brandon Jordan

Brandon Jordan is a freelance reporter in Queens, NY. He has written for The Nation, City Limits, In These Times, and more.

Next Post
Queens County City Council News

Queens Lawmakers On The Move Feb. 14, 2018

Comments 2

  1. Avatar John says:
    3 years ago

    Some of the GLBT Council Member’s mentioned in this article are no longer on the Council.

    • Avatar Stephen Witt says:
      3 years ago

      My bad as editor and how embarrassing! Just fixed the story. Thanks.

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter!

Podcast: Black & Jewish

Chaya and Ariama with the logo for "Black & Jewish" logo

Today's Top Read

  • A polling site on special election day in Far Rockaway, Queens on Feb. 23. (Photo by Gabriele Holtermann)

    With No Clear Winner on Election Night, Ranked Choice Voting to be Put to the Test in District 31 Special Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • After Narrow Defeat, Osina Looks to Redeem Himself in Next Week’s Special Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nicole Lee: A City Council Candidate and Advocate for People with Disabilities

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Special Election Candidates Have Rival Visions on Future of Policing

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Experts, Voters Address Environmental Threats in City Council District 31 Ahead of Special Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Schneps logo

© 2021 Political Edge LLC

Check out other local political news!

  • Brooklyn
  • Manhattan

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us

© 2021 Political Edge LLC