A mayor from Middle Village? Holden says thanks, but no thanks

Councilmember Robert Holden. Photo by William Alatriste/City Council Photography

By David Brand

Supporters of Queens Councilmember Robert Holden say the first-term lawmaker should get another four years in City Hall — as New York City’s next mayor.

Residents of Middle Village and Maspeth have organized a rally Tuesday to draft Holden, a nominal Democrat, to run for mayor in 2021. At least one of his staff members has even joined the push, using Facebook to promote the event at 69th Street and Grand Avenue.

But Holden, who has not yet filed to run for reelection in Council District 30, threw cold water on the idea.

“I was humbled when I heard about this, and I certainly appreciate the support,” Holden told the Eagle. “We have great people in District 30 and I’m focused on being the best council member I can be.”

“I plan to run for re-election to the NYC Council and will announce in the near future,” he added.

The longtime civic association leader defeated incumbent Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley to win the Queens seat in 2017 after first losing to Crowley in the Democratic primary. 

The Republican Party allowed Holden to run on the GOP line in the general election, resulting in his narrow victory.

Holden caucuses with the Democratic Party, but has alienated some of his colleagues with his support for President Trump’s immigration crackdown and his reactionary opposition to housing homeless New Yorkers in his district — the core issue behind his 2017 run.

At least one councilmember, Brooklyn’s Brad Lander, has endorsed Holden’s opponent Juan Ardila.

Though the fields in adjacent districts have swelled to nearly a dozen candidates, Ardila, who previously worked for Lander, is the only challenger to file so far in District 30.