Gianaris joins movement to reform Queens’ Democratic district leadership

State Sen. Michael Gianaris has signed a pledge not to seek re-election as a Queens County Democratic district leader. AP Photo/Hans Pennink

By David Brand

A faction of reform-minded members of the Queens County Democratic Party have picked up a prominent ally in their effort to overhaul party leadership: State Sen. Michael Gianaris.

Gianaris, who serves as one of Queens’ 72 Democratic district leaders, has agreed not to seek re-election for that volunteer party position in accordance with a pledge drafted by the Queens County Committee for All. The QCC4All, a faction of county committee members who represent election districts of a few square blocks, wants to decentralize power in the county party and has called on lawmakers not to serve as local district leaders in order to open up the influential positions to everyday residents. 

“The Democratic Party is at its best when it engages the ideas and talents of additional voices in our party, and allows their energy to make us stronger,” said Gianaris, who was previously endorsed by the county party. “I look forward to working with forthcoming party leaders who will help shepherd our party and community into the future.”

District leaders are elected to the voluntary office and serve as liaisons between local residents and party chiefs. They vote on party decisions, like who to designate for judicial positions, and they run political clubs with influence in the county party — though in practice, some clubs are inactive. Queens has 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. At least 17 of them also hold other city, state or federal office. 

The Queens County Committee For All pledge also asks elected officials and candidates to not make financial contributions to candidates for party office; to “promote participation” in political clubs and the Democratic party; and to reject “stacked” petitions — petitions that include candidates for public office and party office on the same form. 

Gianaris signs the QCC4All pledge. Photo courtesy of Heather Dimitriadis

Assemblymember Brian Barnwell and Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer have each signed the pledge, along with nine candidates for public office. Two other district leaders, Councilmember Costa Constantinides and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, have said they will not seek re-election to the party office. Assemblymember Ron Kim, a former district leader, has endorsed the ideas of the Queens County Committee For All and a related coalition called the New Reformers.

“Those that have taken this step to sign our pledge are taking a bold position that will empower their communities to work at the grassroots level to bring forth fresh perspectives on leadership for the County Party,” said Melissa Bair, a QCC4ALL member from Assembly District 30.

At a July meeting with the QCC4All, County Party Chairperson Gregory Meeks, a Congressman, and Party Executive Michael Reich listened to members’ concerns and urged them to become more active in their political clubs. Meeks praised their advocacy after the meeting.

“I think the energy in this room, the passion in this room of wanting to be involved with their Democratic organization and have a voice, it inspires me to want to make sure I get out there and touch folks because there's an energy and there’s people who care,” Meeks said at the time.

Meeks and the County Party did not immediately respond to request for comment for this story, but Meeks has recently defended the current roster of Democratic district leaders and criticized the reform movement.

The district leaders are “people who have focused their lives to the betterment of Queens County,” Meeks said at a county party dinner Monday, reported by qns.com. “This organization takes a backseat to no one. We’re not going to allow anyone to bully us. We’re going to show you, so come on with it.”