Crowley backs Crowley for Queens borough president, bucking county party pick

Ex-QUEENS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR JOE CROWLEY is fundraising for his cousin Elizabeth Crowley in the race for Queens borough president. EAGLE file PHOTO BY ANDY KATZ

By David Brand

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley has endorsed his cousin Elizabeth Crowley for Queens borough president, bucking the county Democratic organization he once led.

Elizabeth Crowley, a former city councilmember, is one of five Democratic candidates for Queens borough president. The Queens County Democratic Party, which Crowley chaired from 2006 until 2019, chose to endorse Councilmember Donovan Richards for the position.

In an email blast Wednesday, Joe Crowley asked supporters to contribute to Elizabeth Crowley’s campaign ahead of the June 23 primary. 

“I might be a little biased, but Elizabeth is not only an incredible public servant but also an amazing person —and she is in an excellent position to win in five weeks,” Crowley said in the email, sent to subscribers of his former “Joe for NY” campaign committee.

“Due to her outstanding record of public service in the City Council, she has earned the endorsements of the frontline heroes that have kept us safe during the COVID-19 crisis, such as the firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers,” the email continued.

Despite the matching last names, family ties have not always outweighed political interests. 

In 2012, Joe Crowley and the Queens County Democratic Party booted Elizabeth Crowley from the ballot when she ran for a Democratic district leader position. 

Political observers at the time said the county organization was not happy with Crowley for running against then-Assemblymember Grace Meng for an open congressional seat, which Meng won.

Councilmember Costa Constantinides, retired NYPD Sergeant Anthony Miranda and Flushing entrepreneur Dao Yin are also running for the borough president seat vacated by Melinda Katz, who took office as Queens district attorney on Jan. 1.