Tiffany Cabán Concedes + 2021 Mayoral Candidates Declare

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Local News

  • At the conclusion of the recount and court case in the race for Queens District Attorney, Tiffany Cabán trailed by just 55 votes and conceded. The impact of her campaign has been felt throughout New York City, and the progressive coalition that backed her, including Queens DSA, is setting its sights on next year’s races
  • The Queens machine also awarded a State Supreme Court seat to a judge who lost his Civil Court primary in June.
  • A Manhattan judge ruled in favor of a group of Fordham University students who were barred from forming a campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
  • The developers of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park are badly behind on their agreement to build 2250 units of affordable housing by 2025, and will face steep fines from the State if they miss their deadline.
  • A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that the Two Bridges development project must go through the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP). The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by City Council and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who sought to overturn the City Planning Commission’s decision to allow the project to proceed without going through a public review process.
  • Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has been using a nonprofit to get donations from people and corporations doing business with the City, going around the City’s campaign finance regulations.

Elections

  • With Melinda Katz almost certain to head to the Queens DA’s office (pending a likely November general election win), successors are lining up to challenge for a Queens Borough President special election that would be called after Katz vacates her current position. Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (District 26, Long Island City) and Assembly Member (District 29, Laurelton) have already announced their campaigns, with many others considering a run.
  • Dianne Morales, an Afro-Latina woman who runs a major South Bronx social services nonprofit, Phipps Neighborhoods, is running an outsider campaign for mayor of New York City in 2021. Morales, who has not run for office or worked in politics before, launched her campaign last week with an email to supporters.
  • Former Deputy Mayor and Goldman Sachs executive Alicia Glen is considering a run for mayor in 2021.

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