Holtzman: Why I support Elizabeth Crowley for Queens borough president

FORMER BROOKLYN DISTRICT ATTORNEY and US Rep. ELIZABETH HOLTZMAN (Right) explains her support for Elizabeth crowley (LEFT) in the Democratic primary for Queens borough president. Photo courtesy of campaign

By Elizabeth Holtzman 

I am writing because I strongly support Elizabeth Crowley for Queens Borough President.

As a former member of Congress and Brooklyn district attorney — and as a woman— I know how important it is to have women in leadership positions.  Women need a seat at the table and their voices need to be heard. Women also know how to push for change — and how to find common ground. This is what Elizabeth Crowley did as a member of the New York City Council and that is why so many different groups throughout Queens support her:  first responders, working families, unions, immigrant groups— the list is long.

Elizabeth’s talents embody the very best of Queens.

Elizabeth is an excellent listener but she is also an excellent fighter. I can attest to that personally.

We worked together to fight for women’s rights in 2015 by securing wage fairness from corporations doing business with the city. I watched her press our Fire Department to make important strides in gender and racial equality. After Elizabeth left the City Council in 2017, she founded two non-profits, one to address Queens infrastructure issues and the other to help more women candidates gain seats on the City Council. 

Elizabeth’s campaign theme is that Queens deserves its fair share — fair share for women, for working families, for our schools, for our first responders whenever they are short on life-saving equipment, and for Queens as a whole compared to what other boroughs like Manhattan and Brooklyn get.

Local officials have a tougher job than ever given the difficult economy and Covid-19. I trust Elizabeth Crowley to tackle these problems head on like nobody else can. And she won’t give up until she succeeds.

 Elizabeth Holtzman served as a member of Congress and was the first woman elected New York City Comptroller and Brooklyn District Attorney.