(Photo Courtesy of Melissa Sklarz’s Campaign)
July 27, 2018 By Tara Law
Councilmembers Daniel Dromm and Jimmy Van Bramer announced that they are endorsing Melissa Sklarz for State Assembly today.
Sklarz is challenging incumbent Brian Barnwell for the 30th District Assembly seat, which represents Woodside, Maspeth, and portions of Astoria, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Elmhurst and Middle Village.
Sklarz, who would be the first transgender member of the New York Assembly, says that she aims to strengthen rent laws, work to fight homelessness, invest in the transit system and improve services for the elderly.
Dromm expressed confidence in Sklarz and referred to her as his friend.
“I am proud to endorse Melissa Sklarz for State Assembly because it’s clear she has a vision for change, and the experience needed to get results up in Albany,” said Daniel Dromm. “As someone who ran an insurgent campaign for City Council in 2009, with the help of people like Melissa, I know that she will go to Albany ready to challenge authority and stand up for what is right.”
Van Bramer said that he believed in her commitment to progressive values.
“Queens values are under attack and we need progressive leaders in Albany who are ready to stand up and protect the rights of all New Yorkers,” Van Bramer said. “Over the years, Melissa has exhibited a rare ability to build broad based coalitions to solve issues. I know she will provide strong leadership and be an outspoken voice for affordable housing, public transportation, education, women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community.”
Sklarz said that she found Van Bramer and Dromm’s endorsement of her campaign to be “humbling.”
“Council Members Dromm and Van Bramer exemplify what it means to be public servants. Their support is invaluable to this campaign,” said Sklarz. “I look forward to working as their counterparts in the Assembly to fight for our constituents. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to get our message out through grassroots efforts and adding more volunteers and voters to our team who are excited about my campaign’s mission to drive real change in Albany.”
Sklarz has also received endorsements from the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, National Association of Social Workers, Citizen Action, Victory Fund, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, and the Stonewall Democratic Club. She also received a “candidate distinction” from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
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31 Comments
Actually, JVB probably did Brian Barnwell a favor, with JVB’s dropping popularity rating and can not be trusted with what he states aloud. Also, Brian now knows to stay clear of JVB from this day forward.
Anne Marie, I agree. Barnwell needs to keep Van Bramer at arms length away now and after the election. Jimmy has tarnished his own brand name with getting caught in his own created deceit and playing all sides for his own purposes. Barnwell does not need to be associated with such a ‘leader’.
Trumps economy is on fire- 4.1% GDP growth, stock market up 30% since election day, unemplyment hasnt been this low in decades, peace with North Korea….. you guys are gonna need more than “Trumps Mean” to win!
Freaking .6 % lower unemployment than 2016! So dang HUGE!
North Korea is building new missiles as we speak — but they’re probably filled with candy or delicious trump steaks.
We haven’t seen 4%+ quarters since 2014. Who remembers that? Heck yes buddy. What stocks do you like by the way?
Mary Christmas is BACK!
Plus we might stop giving psychotropic drugs to migrant children without consent in Trump’s child concentration camps soon! MAGA again!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/07/31/trump-administration-must-seek-consent-before-giving-drugs-to-migrant-children-judge-rules/?utm_term=.7710845e9a5b
THE STOCK MARKET …,. isn’t the economy!
IT GOES UP because .,… your WAGES DONT’.
no one GETS this !
Trump inherit a robust economy, already trending upward in all mentioned categories for years . Obama had 4 Quarters with 4% GDP or greater. Don’t allow the treasonous con man con you.
Jimmy is Correct,
Queens Values are under Attack, FROM HIM.
Whoa. Amazing burn! ALL CAPS sealed it.
Can’t wait for Jimmy, Dromm and Sklar to take their bikes and leave Queens. They could not run a lemonade stand among the three of them. Add Cynthia Nixon, Jimmy’s new girlfriend, to that list. Waiting for the revenge of Andrew Cuomo which I am sure we will all feel. Barnwell did the community a real favor by getting rid of Markey and this is the gratitude that Jimmy shows.
Jimmy never had to work alongside the State Assembly Person. For Jimmy’s first two terms, Markey was non-existent in policy and person at any event or issue. Jimmy was the sole politician. He does not like sharing the spotlight, or media coverage, with anyone else, especially Brian, who is the young politician gaining admiration by Sunnysiders and Woodsiders, which once was Jimmy. So newbies are exactly what he would like in all of the offices.
SO right — this is high-stakes stuff. The very powerful city councilperson is playing a very very elaborate game of 4-dimensional chess. Just you watch!
Sunnyside needs to Wake Up!
JVB is intimidated by any other popular or strong politician, such as Crowley and Barnwell. Do you remember playing ‘King of the Hill’ when you were a child? One person stood on the top of the hill and pushed down all the others trying to climb the hill to be equal to you at the top. These endorsements stem from his own insecurities if he is not THE most popular or THE most important person at the press conference or in the event is what this is about in the political arena. Over the past two years, Barnwell has taken some of JVB’s limelight away when they are together at community events or press conferences, thus, the ‘King of The Hill’ children’s game is occurring with JVB’s endorsements, statements, and flip-floping with Crowley after the primary.
Great analogy, Anthony!
Remember Chutes and Ladders?
This is serious, serious stuff.
I guess being transgender qualifies for getting these guy’s endorsement.
When is this madness going to stop.
Vote for Brian Barnwell.
A good man doing a great job.
What madness?
Jumping Jimmy,who knows what candidate he will attach himself to next.
Ding and dong endorse one of their team, what else. She is an inexperienced party hack that only knows how to repeat the party standard lines. Nothing new and she wants to make NYS a sanctuary state. This is right up Danny’s alley since he loves all the illegals over in dumpy Jackson Heights.
We have a freshman assembly member who has been responsive to the community and motivated to deliver what’s best for us. Why the push to challenge him? Just to say we elected a transgender person? I’m all for representation but it’s self defeating that Democrats are challenging young, new incumbents who have proven to serve. And in bad taste for JVB to endorse a Barnwell challenger without anything to point to other than Sklarz being transgender. No thanks.
I do not care that the candidate is transgender. That is fine. I have problem that she is automatically endorsed because of this fact. True equality is that it is not a factor. It should not be a factor. JVB’s poor judgment calls seem to be very public in his last term as our Sunnyside Councilman. So many Sunnysiders are shaking their heads. This is all about what is best for his next election.
Just because some parties automatically endorse pedos and sex offenders, doesn’t mean that’s why Sklarz got the endorsement. You dont’ speak for much of Sunnyside.
Agreed, Trump should not have endorsed Roy Moore just because he’s a child molester; instead endorsements should be based on the issues.
I like Brian who had the guts to run again the machine two years ago, beating Markey. This is just another example of how Jimmy is losing his marbles and flip flops to get on the most popular bandwagon.
One minute he was backing Crowley, the next he’s Oscasio’ best friend supporting Nixon.
One minute he’s against bike lanes, the next he makes a big apology.
He’s turned into a fool.
Yeah, Barnwell ran against the machine… then endorsed a Crowley. Record-breaking flip flop there.
Not trustworthy. Time to try someone new.
Wow. JVB isn’t even loyal to Brian Barnwell, yet is at photo-ops and various functions! After Crowely lost, JVB comes out like he supported the other candidate all along. Why would any politician align themselves in any way with JVB?
JVB is really excited about OC beating Crowley in the primary. He’s under the impression that Crowley is done, but he’s going to run anyway and beat OC in November.
Joe Crowley is still on the ballot on both the Women’s Equality Party line and the Working Families Party line. Vote for Crowley in November on either line and save New York from any further embarrassment from Ocasio-Cortez. Brian Barnwell has done a very good job as Assemblyman. Why would one vote for an inexperienced novice who recently moved into the District to oppose Barnwell? JVB has lost his marbles!
Are there any Republicans running? and how did Sunnyside/Woodside get lumped in with the South Bronx!
Gerrymandering
Eh… I’ll vote for Brian Barnwell again.
I was happy that Barnwell had beaten Markey who was mediocre and a two-faced phony. Now Jimmy and Danny have to engage in identity politics. Dromm is the guy who wanted to end Junior ROTC in the high schools. And Jimmy has lost his mind. I’m very worried about what is happening to the caliber of politicians in this zip code. They are going from awful to really awful.