PR pro with community ties enters race for Queens council seat

Alfonso Quiroz has kicked off his bid for City Council in Queens District 25. Photo via Facebook

By David Brand

A veteran political staffer and public relations pro from Jackson Heights has entered the race for the neighborhood’s open city council seat, with a goal of improving the local healthcare system and the small business landscape. 

Alfonso Quiroz, a spokesperson for Con Edison and former president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens, announced his candidacy for Queens Council District 25 on Tuesday after filing his campaign with the Board of Elections last year. He is one of nine candidates vying to replace term-limited Councilmember Daniel Dromm.

Quiroz has served as deputy chief of staff to former Councilmember Helen Sears and a Democratic district leader in Queens.

“I’m running because COVID-19 exposed the vulnerabilities in our healthcare system, felt deeply in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “I’m running because the cost of housing keeps rising while working families struggle to make ends meet. I’m running because our children deserve a fully funded school system, and a real chance at building a life in the city that raised them.”

Alfonso, who is gay, is vice president of the JFK Democratic Club and a member the Stonewall Democratic Club and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

He has also championed community initiatives, like an effort to landmark a hub of Polish culture in Elmhurst and the mission to expand outdoor dining along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights.

“If the past year has taught us anything, it's that we need leadership that understands the struggle facing working families and immigrant communities,” he said.

Last year, Quiroz told Gay City News that he is open to shifting money from the NYPD to fund social service agencies, particularly with the city facing a significant budget deficit.   

“I don’t have a problem with looking at the police budget and trying to figure out where funds can be allocated to community groups,” he said. “There should really be a good opportunity for us to re-look at the police department and re-look at public safety and start from a blank page and say this is what we want: a police force that protects us, that is going to be able to respond quickly.”

Quiroz raised $56,523 in private contributions ahead of a disclosure deadline last month and received $69,107 in public matching funds.

His $117,000 is the second highest fundraising total in the race after housing attorney Shekar Krishnan.

Full disclosure: Quiroz’s husband Jeff Simmons co-hosts a radio show with Eagle editor David Brand on WBAI 99.5 FM.