Richards backs Brooks-Powers in race for his old seat Council

Selvena Brooks-powers. campaign photo

By David Brand

Queens’ new Borough President Donovan Richards has endorsed Selvena Brooks-Powers in the race for his old council seat.

Richards represented Council District 31, which includes a portion of Southeast Queens and the eastern half of the Rockaway Peninsula from 2013 until December 2020, when he took office as borough president.

He cited Brooks-Powers’ experience in government and community service, including her role as director of M/WBE contracting with the JFK Redevelopment plan and as a patient advocate at the defunct Peninsula Hospital.

“Selvena knows our community,” Richards said. “She has volunteered for our local youth, distributed PPE’s and fresh food during the pandemic, and worked to prevent gun violence.”

The endorsement unites former rivals: Brooks-Powers lost to Richards in a 2013 special election for the CD31 seat.

The Feb. 23 special election features eight other candidates, including Richards’ former chief of staff Manny Silva, home health aide training school founder Nancy Martinez, Orthodox Jewish community leader Pesach Osina, school superintendent Shawn Rux, business development expert Latoya Benjamin, educator Latanya Collins, minister and Democratic District Leader Rev. Sherwyn James and education advocate Nicole Lee.