Kal Penn, who plays Garret Modi in the NBC show Sunnyside, in front of iconic arch (NBC)
Jan. 6, 2020 By Kristen Torres
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer today received a new celebrity endorsement for his run to be the next Queens Borough President.
Actor Kal Penn—who recently starred in NBC’s “Sunnyside”—endorsed Van Bramer on Monday. Penn played Garrett Modi in the show—a disgraced former council member who is hired by immigrants to help them navigate their path to citizenship.
Van Bramer and Penn will be canvassing for signatures in Sunnyside Monday evening. They will be meeting with volunteers at Sanger Hall—at 48-20 Skillman Ave.—around 5 p.m. before heading out to meet nearby residents.
All candidates need 2,000 valid signatures by Jan. 14 to get on the ballot.
Van Bramer was endorsed last month by former gubernatorial candidate and “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon.
Van Bramer was also endorsed by public advocate Jumaane Williams last week.
“Jimmy Van Bramer is a progressive champion who will fight for a Queens for all,” Williams said in a statement Friday. “Jimmy has shown courage time and again to do what’s right.”
The special election is scheduled for March 24. Former Queens Borough President Melinda Katz vacated the office on Jan. 1 to be the Queens District Attorney.
Others vying for borough president include Council Members Costa Constantinides and Donovan Richards; former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley; and law enforcement reform advocate Anthony Miranda.
Featured Events
24 Comments
That means so much considering Kumar’s show got cancelled after the pilot. it was really REALLY bad. It represented nothing of Sunnyside.
No Queens Borough Presidency for you JVB!!!!! Leave the country, go to your favorite vacation spot Mikonos, Greece or retire to bake your beloved Key Lime Pies down in Key West , FL already. You stopped representing us long ago. We voted for AOC because we were fed up with Joe Crowley, then you switched sides, became wishy washy, humpty dumpty and could not stand up for your constituents against the true ills in our community, you were against Amazon jobs, all for homeless shelters, you have not defended us. You are a ribbon cutter and phony this is why you will never win and we know it.
So many passionate letters, but kudos to “Arvin” for addressing the maligning of Trump in JVB’s “Another amazing endorsement!” tweet.
Toughen up snowflake
They should make a show called ‘Everybody Hates Jimmy.’
The “do-nothing” politicians love Trump because without him they’d have no issues to run on. He is running for Queens Borough Presidency – a position that has little to do with federal politics. What other big LOCAL issues is he running on besides this one? None.
IMO, Jimmy Van Bramer deserves credit for helping put Sunnyside on the map. I and many others thank him for his hard work and dedication in trying to do what is right for Sunnyside. Sunnyside is a lot safer, cleaner, vibrant and diverse today because of people like him. He is a fair leader and represents many hard working people and families through out Sunnyside and NYC.
JVB has another celebrity endorsement, in addition to Cynthia Nixon. Neither live or work in Queens. JVB will not win as Borough President. Unfortunately even though JVB will be out of office when his term is up, he’ll still be hanging around at the edges sniffing for any opportunity to be back in politics. He is incapable of holding any other job. Too bad he was against the Amazon project, he might have gotten a fresh start working there. But then again it would have been a real job without publicity and a staff, which is something JVB can’t live without.
Now we have another celebrity with 0 political experience? I’m in full support
Even more of a reason to want van bremer to lose.
A lame actor on a very lame show
Is endorsing a lame candidate.
Hope they canvass on 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard… Jimmy and Kumar Go to White Castle.
I love Jimmy… he’s a local and he works hard. I worked down in city hall and honestly he is very dedicated to the community. I’ve also lived in the neighborhood 20+ years and have really seen slow progress.
But that’s my personal opinion and future vote.
Beyond ridiculous. And JVB wants $$s out of politics. Another multi-millionaire (15 to be exact). And he lives in LA. To steal from Ricky…. Kal, “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything… You know nothing about the real world”. Or the Borough of Queens for the record!!!
I can think of 25,000 people
Who won’t sign!
The guy from Harold and Kumar endorsed an even more obscure piece of trash
Please have these guys canvassing at the corner of 43rs Street and Queens Boulevard…
JIMMY AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE!!!!
First he has Cynthia Nixon now Kal Penn, who is next Donald duck & Minnie. Van Bramer, if you want to get any credibility back with the people of Sunnyside then you should make a statement to you constituents how you lied, changed your opinion based on what you were directed to do by ocasio Cortez. Was deceitful and purposely broadcast information that you knew was false. in other words Jimmy, you are not a strong leader and im sure you see that now while canvasing the neighborhood looking for 2000k signatures. You had it all in the palm of your hand and you blew it. So now please just go AWAY.
The star of the first show of the fall lineup to get cancelled, named “Sunnyside” is endorsing somebody for office from that neighborhood? I’m sorry, Sunnyside Post has taken me to The Onion by accident.
Ah Jim Van Blowhard is getting desperate. All 7 train users got screwed today and this is the best he has to offer – a lower end comedian from a cancelled tv show. Jimmy is a sad shadow of his former self.
Last time I checked Queens is the most diverse area in the nation..Don’t see how Trump is holding anybody back and yes people are free to speak whatever language they want..I think a Queens for all was created a long time ago..Stop trying to sell lies and b.s JVB
Guy who played disgraced sunnyside councilman supports disgraced Sunnyside councilman…don’t understand why you want to take an acting part in a comedy when you’re actually already doing it in real life…
I, a tax payer and Sunnyside resident DON’T endorse JVB.
Audit the MTA.
Make Sunnyside small business friendly.
Dont open shelters without a town meeting hall
Good luck Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer! Glad to see so many people support you for Queens Borough President.
Oh look wow a failing actor who profiled the beautiful community comopeletly wrong is endorsing a failing JVB. Just pure comedy you can’t write this stuff people. His puppets were out yesterday trying to collect signatures. Obvs i don’t endorse little Ceaser. Just pure comedy, I just turned to them and said bike lanes with a smirk and kept walking. Even as a registered Democrat this fool won’t win queens Borough President. I am also convinced this little ceaser his trying to censor me on Instagram whenever possible for him.