By Bill Parry
City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale) was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) in her re-election bid in the 30th District. The two had opposed each other in a 2012 primary in Meng’s first run for Congress.
“I have had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Elizabeth Crowley on many issues affecting Queens, and I’ve seen first-hand how hard she fights for her constituents,” Meng said. “I’m proud to endorse her candidacy for re-election so that she can continue the important work she has done, especially fighting for first responders, improving transportation and being an independent voice at City Hall. I look forward to continuing to work with her for another four years.”
Crowley said she was honored to have Meng’s support.
“The Congress member has been a tireless advocate for Queens in the nation’s capital,” Crowley said. “I was proud to stand with her in opposing the misguided plan to place homeless families in the Maspeth Holiday Inn Express, and I look forward to standing with her in the years ahead, fighting for our communities.”
Her opponent in next month’s election, Robert Holden, the civic leader who led nightly protests against the city’s attempt to convert the hotel into a shelter for months, responded to the endorsement.
“This is just more political games by an incompetent career politician,” he said. “Elizabeth Crowley’s ‘fight for first responders’ included ignoring a 2011 report about the lack of functioning hydrants in her district, which ended up being a factor in a devastating June 2017 fire on Myrtle Avenue. Her transportation improvements include supporting a fiscally and logistically infeasible light rail while local bus service deteriorates, and she has taken so much money from special interests that she didn’t bother to participate in the NYC Campaign Finance matching funds program.”
A registered Democrat for 44 years, Holden was soundly defeated by Crowley in last month’s primary, 64 percent to 36 percent. He was then given the Republican Party line by a unanimous vote by the Queens GOP executive committee.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
