Nolan, Suozzi endorse Markell in crowded Northeast Queens council race

Queens Assemblymember Cathy Nolan (right) endorsed Debra Markell in the race for Queens Council District 23. Photo courtesy of Markell campaign

By David Brand

Veteran Queens Assemblymember Cathy Nolan has endorsed Debra Markell in the race for Council District 23, becoming the latest lawmaker to back the community board district manager.

Nolan, who has represented Ridgewood and Long Island in the Assembly since 1985, cited her experience working with Markell as district manager for Queens Community Board 2.

“With New York facing unprecedented challenges, I can think of no one better to serve than Debra Markell,” Nolan said. “We so need women with professionalism and experience to step up to elected office.”

Markell has also picked up endorsements from Rep. Tom Suozzi and former Rep. Steve Israel as she vies to replace Councilmember Barry Grodenchik in a district that includes Douglaston, Bayside, Glen Oaks, Little Neck and other Northeast Queens neighborhoods. Grodenchik has decided not to run for a new term in office.

Markell said her campaign is focused on issues affecting senior citizens and co-op and condo-owners. She also wants to expand public transportation in a district without a subway stop. 

Seven other candidates have also filed to run in the June primary. They include Grodenchik staffer Steve Behar; college freshman Seth Breland; Queens Libertarian Party Chair Christopher Padilla-Fuentes; Sanjeev Jindal, an official with the India Association of Long Island; Democratic Socialists of America-backed activist Jaslin Kaur; Oakland Gardens nonprofit head Linda Lee, and Mandeep Sahi.