By Rich Bockmann
Former City Councilman Leroy Comrie lined up a handful of endorsements as he made the announcement earlier this week that he will challenge embattled state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) for his southeast Queens seat.
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), the Rev. Charles Norris and Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) all publicly pledged their support Monday for Comrie’s Democratic primary run against Smith, who is awaiting trial on federal corruption charges.
Comrie said he was pleased to have their backing.
“I am truly humbled to have this strong show of support so early on. It simply means people are ready for a change,” he said. “The 14th District will not be sidelined waiting for a leader to do the right thing. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from a lot of people and I am honored that they are putting their faith in me.”
Comrie threw his hat into the Democratic primary Monday to challenge Smith, who is waiting for his trial to begin in June on charges he allegedly tried to use state money to buy his way into the 2013 mayoral race on the Republican line.
Crowley is chairman of the Queens Democratic Party, although he was speaking for himself when called Comrie a “dedicated public servant who has delivered for his community and the people of Queens.”
“Leroy has been on the forefront of building better schools for our children, protecting our seniors and helping to create thousands of jobs across New York,” Crowley said. “Now, we need Leroy in Albany delivering for us on the issues that matter most.”
Comrie sat on the Council for three terms from 2002-13, serving as chairman of the powerful Land Use Committee and leading the Queens delegation. Facing term limits, he made a run for Borough Hall and, after abandoning the bid, took a position as deputy borough president under Melinda Katz.
Comrie stepped down from the position late last week but will stay on as a special assistant, according to a source.
Norris is a political power broker in southeast Queens and a longtime supporter of Smith who was rankled early last year when the senator jumped to the Independent Democratic Conference.
Norris said southeast Queens “suffers when it cannot depend on an elected official to leverage his relationships on our behalf.”
“We appreciate Leroy Comrie’s ability to get things done,” he said. “Throughout his public service, Leroy Comrie developed and maintained good relationships with others in government and at nonprofits. The people of southeast Queens will benefit through Leroy’s ability to work successfully with others in government and in the nonprofit arena.”
Miller, Comrie’s successor on the Council, said, “Southeast Queens will reap the benefits when Leroy Comrie enters the state Senate. Leroy enjoys the respect from all of his colleagues in government to deliver what southeast Queens needs from Albany.”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
