Queens elects four trailblazing freshman lawmakers

Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas was elected to represent Assembly District 34 Tuesday. Photo courtesy of campaign

By David Brand

Four trailblazing candidates from across Queens will join the borough’s Assembly delegation on Jan. 1, 2021.

Democrats Khaleel Anderson in District 31 (Ozone Park-Springfield Gardens-Far Rockaway), Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas in District 34 (Jackson Heights, Woodside), Zohran Mamdani in District 36 (Astoria) and Jennifer Rajkumar in District 38 (Woodhaven/Glendale) each defeated their Republican opponents to capture the seats.

Rajkumar is the first South Asian woman elected to the state legislature in New York City. Mamdani is the first South Asian man elected to the Assembly in New York City. He is also the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America elected to state office in Queens.

Gonzalez-Rojas is the first Latina and first woman of color elected to represent District 34. 

And Anderson, 24, became the youngest Black candidate ever elected to New York state office, and the third youngest ever.

Anderson won an open seat to replace Michele Titus, who left the Assembly on Jan. 1, 2020 after winning a seat on the Civil Court bench. 

The other three defeated incumbents in the Democratic primaries June 23. 

Mamdani beat Aravella Simotas, Gonzalez-Rojas defeated Michael DenDekker and Rajkumar ousted Michael Miller.

A fifth new assemblymember may also join them in Albany.

Republican John-Alexander Sakelos leads incumbent Assemblymember Edward Braunstein in District 26 with absentee ballots still uncounted.