Meng backs Linda Lee in Northeast Queens council race

Rep. Grace Meng (left) has endorsed nonprofit leader Linda Lee in Council District 23. Photo courtesy of Lee campaign.

By David Brand

Influential U.S. Rep. Grace Meng is backing nonprofit leader Linda Lee in the crowded race for a northeast Queens council seat.

Meng endorsed Lee on Monday, citing her experience as head of the social service organization Korean Community Services. Lee is one of seven Democrats vying to replace Councilmember Barry Grodenchik in Council District 23, which includes Bellerose, Douglaston, Fresh Meadows, Hollis and Little Neck. Grodenchik said last year that he would not seek reelection.

“I’m endorsing Linda Lee for city council because no one is better prepared to deliver for our neighborhoods,” Meng said. “As the director of a large nonprofit, Linda has provided meals for homebound seniors, mental healthcare, and successfully fought to open the only vaccine site in Northeastern Queens — all while juggling remote learning and childcare for her two boys.”

Bayside’s Korean Community Services, which primarily serves Queens seniors, opened as a COVID-19 vaccine clinic last month, becoming the first permanent vaccine site in the northeast portion of the borough.

Lee has focused her campaign on issues affecting older adults, public school families and middle-class homeowners.

She thanked Meng and highlighted her efforts to combat anti-Asian discrimination while supporting families. “There’s no stronger advocate for women, seniors and families and I’m humbled to have her support,” Lee said.

Lee is the latest Queens candidate to receive Meng’s endorsement, after the six-term congressmember backed Lynn Schulman in Forest Hills’ District 27, Sandra Ung in Flushing’s District 20 and incumbent Councilmember Jim Gennaro in Central Queens’ District 24.

The six other Democrats running in District 23 include Steve Behar, an aide to Grodenchik; Sanjeev Jindal, an official with the India Association of Long Island; activist Jaslin Kaur, who has the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America and Working Families Party; community board district manager Debra Markell; Sikh community leader Harpreet Toor; and attorney and small business advocate Koshy Thomas.

Lee leads the fundraising, with more than $63,000 in private contributions. Both she and Kaur have received the maximum amount of public matching funds.