NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Democrat Donovan Richards was reelected as Queens borough president, the Associated Press projected.
CLICK HERE for full New York Election results.
Here's a look at the candidates:
DONOVAN RICHARDS (Democrat)
TOP 3 ISSUES:
1. Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Building real affordable housing
3. Fixing public transportation
BACKGROUND:
The Democrat was sworn in as the first Black man to hold the position of Queens Borough President in December after winning a special election in 2020.
Prior to winning the special election, Richards held a seat on the New York City Council, representing the 31st district in southern Queens, which includes portions of Rockaway Beach, Howard Beach, JFK Airport, South Ozone Park, Rosedale and more.
In the City Council, Richards was chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and the Committee on Public Safety. He also was a member of the Committees on Criminal Justice, Land Use and Zoning, Public Housing and Transportation.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“The last year has brought hardship and uncertainty for all of us. But through it all, I've found that everybody can agree that we need a better healthcare system, roads and transportation fixed, affordable permanent housing, and support for small businesses,” Richards said in a statement. “As a lifelong Queens resident, I was proud to be elected Borough President last year and immediately got to work so that we can emerge from this pandemic with an equitable plan for recovery.”
THOMAS ZMICH (Conservative, Republican, Save Our City)
TOP 3 ISSUES:
1. Public Safety
2. Quality of Life
3. Education
BACKGROUND:
The Republican was a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1, NY union for 37 years and is a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War.
In 2020, Zmich ran against incumbent Grace Meng in the general election for U.S. Congress in New York’s 6th District, representing the Republican, Conservative, Libertarian and Working Families parties.
Zmich, a retired construction manager and former New York City building inspector, is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and used the slogan “MAGA Forward with Tom Zmich” during his bid for U.S. Congress.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“I am running for Queens Borough President because I believe you, like me, are fed up with our established politicians who are not doing the right job that they were elected to do,” Zmich said. “Our quality of life is threatened, public safety is out of control, financial mismanagement of our city budget, frivolous laws and mandates undermines the public’s trust in government institutions. The waste, fraud and abuse of our tax dollars has to end.”
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