By Kathianne Boniello
Amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Flushing, state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing) and U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) Friday jointly endorsed City Council candidate John Liu as a dozen or so well-wishers cheered them on.
McLaughlin and Ackerman praised Liu, one of seven candidates running for City Councilwoman Julia Harrison’s (D-Flushing) seat, as a man who could unite the diverse cultures within the council district. They announced their choice three days before the Queens Democratic Party gave its blessing to Liu.
“He would make an outstanding member of the City Council,” McLaughlin said. “He really understands all of the diversity and the changes that have taken place here over the years.”
Ackerman, whose 5th Congressional District borders downtown Flushing, said “this is not just a great occasion but also a historical occasion. Not only is John Liu qualified by virtue of his ethnicity but by his ability.”
The assemblyman and the congressman officially endorsed Liu on the steps of the Flushing library at the busy intersection of Main Street and Kissena Boulevard. Harrison, a longtime representative of the area, is being forced out of office at the end of the year by the city’s term limits law as is the entire Queens council delegation.
Liu, who has raised more money than any council candidate, could be one of the first Asian Americans elected to political office in the city. His Democratic opponents for the seat include Ethel Chen, Evergreen Chou, Paul Graziano, Richard Jannaccio, Adrian Joyce and Martha Flores-Vazquez.
“I am tremendously honored,” Liu said. “I am humbled by the support I have gotten from state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin and Congressman Gary Ackerman and the support I’ve gotten from all of you in Flushing.”
A businessman and civic leader, Liu complimented McLaughlin and Ackerman on being the kind of politicians he would model himself after if elected.
Referring to McLaughlin, whose Central Labor Council also endorsed Liu Friday, the prospective candidate said: “I hope to follow in those fantastic footsteps.”
Turning to Ackerman, Liu said as a boy he would look forward to reading community newsletters from the longtime Queens politician.
“You were the first exposure I every had to any elected official while growing up in Flushing,” he said.
After returning the compliments showered on him by McLaughlin and Ackerman, Liu turned to his own growing campaign.
“We’re gaining momentum,” he said as onlookers cheered. “We’re all in this together.”
Citing education and safe streets as two of the main issues of his campaign, Liu said it was important to remember that community concerns often go beyond cultural divisions.
“We all want safe streets,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if your Chinese or Korean or if you’re Italian or if you’re Jewish. We have so much in common.”
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
