One southeast Queens civic leader is looking to bring her voice to Albany.
Community Board 12 Chairperson Adrienne Adams announced on Thursday her candidacy for the state Senate seat currently held by James Sanders, whose district includes most of southeast Queens and the Rockaways.
A statement released by public relations firm Bill Lynch Associated Networks touted Adams’ experience in running Queens “second-largest community board,” noting that she’s worked with numerous elected officials, city agencies, law enforcement and clergy members.
“The people of Queens are a diverse, vibrant community with distinctive needs,” Adams said. “Too often we are ignored in Albany. We need proper economic development, equal opportunities with regard to MWBE [minority- or women-owned business enterprise] contracts, education equity and criminal justice reform if we are to thrive and prosper.”
Adams was born in East Elmhurst and raised in Hollis. She worked as a corporate trainer for Goldman Sachs and is now a child development associate instructor and a professional speaker. Adams was first elected as CB 12 chair in 2013.
Sanders, a former City Council member, successfully challenged state Senator Shirley Huntley in September 2012 and won the seat unopposed the following November. He handily defeated two primary challengers in September 2014 en route to being re-elected.
Published reports indicated that Sanders may challenge Congressman Gregory Meeks for his Fifth Congressional District seat rather than running for re-election.
The Courier reached out to Sanders’ office for comment and is awaiting a response.
