Developer PAC spends big to boost Donovan Richards’ bid for Queens borough president
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Photo by Emil Cohen/City Council Photography
By David Brand
A Real Estate Board of New York-backed political action committee is spending big for Donovan Richards in the final days before the Democratic primary for Queens borough president.
Jobs for New York, a PAC founded by REBNY officials and funded by the city’s largest development firms, spent $66,411.68 on mailers and live phone calls promoting Richards, a Southeast Queens councilmember.
“Donovan Richards has devoted his life to serving Queens County and creating economic opportunities for our families,” the mailers read. “Donovan Richards is a leader who stands on principles and convictions. Not politics.”
The literature and phone calls, independent expenditures unaffiliated with Richards’ campaign, were purchased June 17.
In addition to promoting Richards, some of the literature goes negative. The reverse side of one mailer specifically targets Richards’ opponent Costa Constantinides, listing how the Astoria councilmember has “failed” condo and co-op owners.
“This year, we are facing the most important election of our lifetimes,” the mailer states. “Some of our leaders seem tone-deaf.”
Jobs for New York also funded live phone calls and provided scripts for operators to read to homeowners and REBNY members. A third script is labeled “Low Efficacy Absentee Chase.”
“It is clear from Council Member Richards’ lengthy track record of working to improve NYCHA, creating affordable housing and good jobs and serving as a consensus builder that he is ready to be the next Queens Borough President,” Jobs For New York said in a statement.
The Queens borough president is tasked with making advisory recommendations on land use proposals, including projects backed by major developers. In Queens, large-scale projects at Sunnyside Yards, Willets Point and the Flushing Creek Waterfront are in the works, as development continues to surge in Western Queens, Flushing and Jamaica.
While three candidates in the race — Constantinides, former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley and retired NYPD Sgt. Anthony Miranda — have publicly rejected money from developers, Richards has encouraged the contributions (Constantinides and Crowley have accepted money from developers in the past).
Richards lobbied developers to “cut a check” to his campaign during a borough president’s candidate forum hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 4.
“If [Miranda] won’t take real estate checks, I surely will, so if you’re in this room and want to cut a check,” Richards said after Miranda said he would reject developer money.
The city’s matching funds program had largely neutralized the deep pockets of the development community in the borough president race. To qualify for the public money, candidates cannot accept contributions over $750.
Nevertheless, Richards has received contributions from officials with The Related Companies, one of two firms selected to develop Willets Point, including Related founder Stephen Ross.
Richards has also received money from the developers steering the Flushing Creek Waterfront Rezoning plan. F&T Group Vice President Helen Lee has given Richards $750 F&T Group is one of three firms that comprise FWRA LLC, the corporation that has set out to build a controversial residential and commercial development project along the Flushing Creek waterfront.
REBNY President James Whelan encouraged board members to support Richards in a February email.
“We firmly believe Council Member Donovan Richards would best serve in this role,” Whelan wrote.
In a statement, Richards’ spokesperson Tom Musich said the Southeast Queens councilmember was “proud of the broad coalition” he has built during his campaign. Musich also cited Richards’ advocacy for affordable housing in the Far Rockaway area.
“As campaigns are not permitted to coordinate with independent expenditures we would direct inquiries there,” he added.
