McGuire picks up first endorsement from Southeast Queens lawmaker

Assemblymember Vivian Cook (right) endorsed Ray McGuire for mayor Saturday. Campaign photo

By David Brand

Wall Street executive Ray McGuire has received his first endorsement from a Southeast Queens elected official as he vies for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor.

Veteran Assemblymember Vivian Cook, chair of the Queens Democratic Party’s County Committee, said McGuire is the candidate best positioned to lead the city’s economic recovery and to prevent foreclosures in the borough’s predominantly Black, middle class communities.

“Ray McGuire understands that an inclusive economic recovery requires policies that create jobs, protect homeowners, support small business owners, and provide quality education for our students,” Cook said. “Knowing him, I am confident he will be able to champion the priorities of New Yorkers in Southeast Queens and our city.”

Cook joined McGuire Saturday during a campaign stop in Rochdale, where the Citi Group executive talked with undecided voters outside a Key Food and a popular church. 

She touted his small business stimulus plan, which would allow owners to waive city sales taxes and provide a subsidy to pay a portion of workers’ wages. McGuire has also proposed a “Comeback Bank” to provide direct funding to mom-and-pop shops.

McGuire called Cook “a force to be reckoned with” and said he was honored to have her support.

Few elected officials in Southeast Queens have so far backed a candidate in the crowded race for mayor. The region, home to one of the largest Black middle class communities in the country, is known for its high voter-turnout, particularly among homeowners. 

Councilmember I. Daneek Miller has endorsed Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, while Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson is backing Maya Wiley, the former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Other local leaders have yet to weigh in, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman and Rep. Greg Meeks, chair of the Queens County Democratic Party. The county party declined to endorse a candidate during a meeting last month, but Meeks said members would likely reconvene as Election Day approaches. 

Several people close to Meeks say he is most ideologically aligned with McGuire and speculate that he may back the executive in the coming months. Meeks last year endorsed Michael Bloomberg, another wealthy moderate with vast business experience, for U.S. president.

Meeks has not responded to requests for comment.