Queens Council District 26 candidate Julie Won (Julie Won for City Council)
March 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Queens State Sen. John Liu has endorsed Julie Won in the crowded District 26 Council race.
Won, a tech consultant and Queens Community Board 2 member, is one about 20 candidates running for the seat representing Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and parts of Astoria.
Liu said he was thrilled to support Won’s candidacy and called her a tireless advocate for working and immigrant communities.
“Now more than ever, New Yorkers need leaders like Julie who can build coalitions to realize a just and fair recovery for all,” Liu said in a statement. “I am energized by her campaign, and look forward to working with Julie to save our small businesses, solve our affordable housing crisis, and invest in our public education system. I wholeheartedly endorse Julie Won in her campaign for City Council.”
Before becoming a state senator, Liu was the first Asian American to be elected to the New York City Council in 2001, as well as the first Asian American elected to a citywide office as Comptroller in 2009.
Won would be the first Korean American to serve on the City Council if elected, according to her campaign. Liu hails from Taiwan.
She said she was thrilled to have Liu’s support.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of State Senator John Liu, a relentless champion of progressive causes for decades,” Won said. “As a fellow immigrant to this great city, I have long admired Senator Liu as a trailblazer who not only gave a voice to the Asian-American community, but also fought to make our government transparent and accountable to the people.”
She added that she would work together with the state senator to fight for equality for marginalized New Yorkers.
“Advancing the 21st century human rights of housing, internet, and a habitable planet requires allies on all levels of government, and I am honored to find one in Senator John Liu,” Won said.
Won has been endorsed by the New York Pan Asian Democratic Club, as well as Women of Color for Progress.
She is one of 19 candidates vying for the seat currently held by term-limited Jimmy Van Bramer. Van Bramer must vacate the seat at the end of the year. He is running for the Queens Borough President position.
Other D-26 candidates include Amit Bagga, Jonathan Bailey, Tavo Bortoli, Lorenzo Brea, Giselle Burgess, Julia Forman, Glennis Gomez, Marvin Jeffcoat (Republican), Denise Keehan-Smith, Badrun Khan, Heajin Kim, Jesse Laymon, Sultan Maruf, Brent O’Leary, Micah Peterson, Steven Ragga, Emily Sharpe, Ebony Young, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
