Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who represents a number of northwest Queens neighborhoods, endorsed Cynthia Nixon, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Democratic primary challenger, at a press conference in Sunnyside on Thursday morning.
“Cynthia Nixon is a fighter for working class New Yorkers,” Van Bramer said. “We deserve a champion for all of us, and Cynthia Nixon will be our champion.”
In his endorsement, Van Bramer said that Nixon is a staunch supporter of LGBT rights who is also advocating for equal access to education and a fighter for the city’s broken subway system. He added that the actress would also ensure that arts and culture could be experienced in every part of New York State.
Prior to throwing her hat into the political ring, Nixon has been involved in numerous political causes in and around New York City. In 2013, she endorsed Bill de Blasio’s run for mayor, and was appointed as his representative to The Public Theater.
Nixon thanked Van Bramer for his endorsement and praised his steadfast advocacy on several important issues.
“Jimmy Van Bramer has decades long experience fighting for LGBTQ equality, and has been a strong leader advocating for our subways on the City Council. He has been a champion of the arts and our critical library system. I am thrilled to get his endorsement and I look forward to working with him to create a New York that works for the many, not just the wealthy few,” Nixon said.
Following the endorsement, Van Bramer took to Twitter to show Nixon and himself taking the train.
After announcing my support for @CynthiaNixon for Governor, of course we took the 7 train together. pic.twitter.com/B2QgkdwGp1
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) June 28, 2018
Recently, Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the democratic candidate for New York’s 14th Congressional District, announced cross endorsements for their campaigns. The 28-year-old Bronx native, who stunned the political world on June 26 by unseating longtime Congressman Joe Crowley in the 14th Congressional District primary, cited their shared work in education and support of working families as her reasons for endorsing Nixon.
The Democratic gubernatorial primary takes place on Sept. 13, with the winner of the primary facing the Republican candidate in the Nov. 6 general election.
