Queens BP contest is likely next race to watch

Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman have announced their candidacies for Queens Borough President. Former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley; Councilmembers Donovan Richards, Paul Vallone and Costa Constantinides are also expected to enter the race. Photos via City Council and state Assembly.

By David Brand

In a county with nearly eight registered Democrats for every one Republican, Borough President Melinda Katz’s win in the Democratic primary for Queens district attorney likely assures her of victory in the November general election. Indeed, it is unclear who will even run on the Republican line currently occupied by attorney Daniel Kogan.

If Katz does win the general election, she will vacate her position as Borough President effective Jan. 1, setting the stage for an abbreviated race to replace her in a special election. That election would likely take place in February. 

So far, two people have declared their candidacy for the office — Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer announced he was running in April and Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman filed with the Board of Elections on Wednesday. Several others are expected to throw their hats in the ring for a potentially wide-open February race. 

Former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley has begun fundraising for the position. Councilmembers Donovan Richards, Paul Vallone and Costa Constantinides are also expected to enter the race. Assemblymember Ron Kim is also rumored to be considering a run. 

It is unclear which candidate would receive the endorsement of the Queens County Democratic Party. Hyndman, Richards, Vallone, Crowley and Constantinides are all connected to the county party. 

Van Bramer and Kim, a Democratic district leader, have positioned themselves in the progressive wing of the party. Van Bramer told the Eagle last month that he would like to earn the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

Whoever wins the likely contest won’t have much time to relax in office. There’s another primary election coming up in June 2020, followed by a general election in Nov. 2020 and then a primary election for a four-year term in June 2021.*

Correction: A previous version of this article did not include information about the 2020 primary and general election.