24 THE QUEENS COURIER • MAY 2, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
politics
Man behind ‘Defeat Gianaris’ Twitter account launches state Senate bid
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
One Long Island City resident was so
dismayed at the role state Senator Michael
Gianaris played in making Amazon ditch
its plans to build an HQ2 campus in the
neighborhood, he launched the “Defeat
Gianaris” website the following day.
Now Court Square resident Justin
Potter, 39, is upping the ante by changing
his political party to challenge Gianaris
himself.
“A multi-candidate committee has been
formed, Citizens for Queens, and I have
fi led to run against Senator Gianaris in
the 2020 primary,” Potter said. “We need a
representative who thinks 25,000 jobs are
something to be embraced and leveraged
for the benefi t of the community, who will
give everyone a good faith hearing and
respect, and who is focused on more equitable
growth, rather than rationing.”
Gianaris drew the ire of Governor
Andrew Cuomo following the collapse
of the Amazon deal aft er Gianari was
nominated by the Senate to the Public
Authorities Control Board which could
have vetoed major portions of the proposal.
Amazon blamed a “lack of collaborative
relationships with state and local
leaders” for its decision to bolt the borough.
Aft er 20 years representing western
Queens, from Astoria down to
Ridgewood, in both chambers of the
Legislature in Albany and currently the
deputy majority leader in the Senate,
Gianaris is used to battles.
“I successfully fought Republicans and
their agenda over the last several years
and I look forward to doing it again in this
campaign,” Gianaris said. “I am confi dent
my record protecting our neighborhoods
from further displacement and fi ghting
for better subways and delivering justice
for tens of thousands on New Yorkers will
be recognized by the voters.
Parker believes it is time for a change.
“Senator Gianaris has been literally or
virtually unchallenged for fi ve elections,”
he said. “Th at is simply not how it is supposed
to work, and I am determined to do
something about it. Th e coming months
will continue to be an exploratory period
of attending meetings and listening to
people in the community.”
Potter and his wife Claire moved to the
Court Square section of Long Island City
in 2012 and have since had two children.
“We’re looking forward to bringing
them up here,” he said.
Potter is a self-described “stay-at-homedad”
with an e-commerce business he
started in 2005.
“Before the implosion of the Amazon
deal, I had never given any serious
thought to running for offi ce,” Potter said.
“However, I have now made it my mission
to ensure that voters will have the opportunity
to hold Senator Gianaris accountable
in the 2020 primary.”
But in order to do so, Potter had to
change his party affi liation.
“Yes, I’ve switched my registration to
Democrat, and it is eff ective Nov. 12,
2019,” he said. “I registered Republican on
a whim when I registered in NYS, back in
2002, I think, because I thought it would
be more interesting to vote in Republican
primaries and didn’t think I’d be running
Courtesy of Justin Potter
for offi ce,” Potter said. “I’ve always voted
Democrat in presidential elections, and in
most others as well.”
Four major organized labor groups endorse Katz for DA
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
In the race for Queens District
Attorney, Borough President Melinda
Katz added the endorsements from several
signifi cant labor organizations this
week.
Th e New York City Uniformed EMT’s
Paramedics & Fire Inspectors AFSCME
Local 2507, the Uniformed Firefi ghters
Association of Greater New York, the
New York State Laborers, and the Mason
Tenders District Council all announced
they were backing Katz.
“I’m confi dent that Melinda will continue
her work on behalf of all fi refi ghters
as the District Attorney,” UFA President
Gerard Fitzgerald. “She has been a strong
ally of the thousands of men and women
we represent. Melinda has been a crucial
ally of ours, pushing to get a new fi re station
in Willets Point and securing funds
to improve Queens fi re stations.”
Local 2507 president Oren Barzilay
called Katz an ally to the men and
women who put their lives on the line to
protect the city.
“EMS personnel respond to thousands
of calls per day, and Melinda has always
had our backs,” Barzilay said. “She’s
secured millions of dollars for improvements
to Queens fi re department facilities
and advocated strongly on behalf of
9/11 fi rst responders.”
MTDC business manager Robert
Bonanza said that Katz, as a City Council
member and as borough president, has
fought to make sure new developments
use union labor.
“As a candidate for District Attorney,
she has made her innovative plan to protect
workers and crack down on worksite
accidents a central part of her campaign,”
Bonanza said. “Th ere are powerful interests
who will stand up to this kind of
progress, but I’m confi dent Melinda
will stand up to support us as District
Attorney. Our members will be out in full
force over the next two months to help
get her elected.”
Th e Democratic primary is scheduled
for June 25.
“I’m honored to have the support of
this broad coalition of workers from
throughout our community. We rely on
EMTs and paramedics to respond at a
moment’s notice and they work tirelessly
to keep us safe,” Katz said. “As District
Attorney, I’ll continue to advocate on
File photo
their behalf and prosecute anyone who
assaults EMS personnel. Our fi refi ghters
go to work every day to protect our
community, and they deserve leaders in
offi ce who fi ght for them as they put their
lives on the line. And the New York State
Laborer’s Union and Mason Tenders represent
some of the hardest working men
and women across our state. “I’ll continue
standing with them to make sure
developers and construction companies
who cut corners and put people in danger
are always held accountable.”
Katz added that she has been a strong
union supporter throughout her career,
fi ghting for fair wages and safe working
conditions throughout the city.
“I’m thrilled to have the support of
these groups as I plan to continue this
fi ght in the DA’s offi ce,” she said.
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