Constantinides will not seek re-election as district leader amid reform push
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Councilmember Costa Constantinides, a candidate for Queens borough president, said he will not seek re-election as a district leader, a move praised by a coalition of reform-minded Democrats. Photo courtesy of the Constantinides campaign
By David Brand
Days after a coalition of reform-minded Democrats introduced an initiative for overhauling Queens district leadership, Councilmember Costa Constantinides told the Eagle he would not seek re-election to serve as district leader — an elected position that carries some measure of influence in the county Democratic party.
Constantinides, a candidate for Queens Borough President, also said he would agree to a list of principles drafted by the New Reformers, a group of Democrats who have called on district leader candidates to reject contributions from the finance, insurance and real estate industry and abstain from Queens Democratic Party votes to endorse candidates in Democratic primaries. The New Reformers ask district leader candidates not to hold additional public office or serve as legislative staffers.
“It’s time for someone else to have a turn,” said Constantinides, who serves as district leader in Queens 36b in Astoria. “I’m going to take the pledge, but this was something I had decided prior to the [New Reformers]. This was something I’ve been stewing on for a while.”
Constantinides is one of at least 17 current lawmakers who also serve as a district leaders. The New Reformers and a related group, the Queens County Committee for All, say the dual role prevents non-politicians from running for district leader and inhibits community engagement. They also call on district leaders to foster transparency in the Queens County Democratic Party.
Constantinides declined to say whether he thought other city, state and federal lawmakers should forgo their roles as district leaders.
Queens has a total of 72 Democratic district leaders — two men and two women representing each of the county’s 18 assembly districts, which are separated into A and B zones. The district leaders are elected to the voluntary office, where they serve as liaisons between local residents and party heads.
They vote on party decisions, like who to designate for judicial positions, and they run political clubs that have influence in the county party — in practice, some clubs rarely meet. Constantinides leads the Powhatan Democratic Club, which was founded in 1901.
“I’ve put my blood sweat and tears into the club to grow our membership and expand access,” he said. “It’s time to let someone else be a leader. Let someone else chart a course here.”
Melissa Bair, a member of the Queens County Committee for All, praised Constantinides’ decision.
“I think that is a great step,” said Bair, who represents an election district in AD30, one of roughly 2,000 hyperlocal districts around the county. “Everything we’re looking to achieve with the Queens County Committee for All — accountability, transparency, inclusivity and accessibility — is hindered by public officials also having these offices and consolidating the power.”
New Reformers co-founder Bright Limm also said he and other members were “pleased” with Constantinides’ decision.
“His stance on this important reform — and willingness to state it publicly — exemplifies leadership that will no doubt embolden others in public office to do the same,” Limm said.
County party bylaws do not preclude public officials and their staff members from serving as Queens district leaders. Queens County Democratic Party Executive Michael Reich told the Eagle he disagreed with instituting restrictions on district leaders.
“You’re talking about jobs that have no salary. It’s hard enough to get county committee people to participate and then you tell them they can only run a couple terms,” he said in April.
