Jessica Ramos, who added she was also troubled by Richards’ support for tweaks to a law making police chokeholds a crime.Īssemblyman Ron Kim likewise expressed interest in a potential run by Van Bramer. “It is especially important that the borough president not be beholden to real estate interests,” said state Sen.
If he does run, he’ll be looking to capitalize on dissatisfaction among some on the left with Richards, who chairs the Council’s public safety committee and is a member of the progressive caucus. He previously converted his 2020 campaign account into a 2021 account with the Campaign Finance Board, allowing him to use prior donations to fund a potential run. He said he hasn’t made a final decision on whether to run but will in the coming months. Now, he said his mother’s health has “stabilized.” “I feel much stronger today than I did a year ago personally, and much more ready willing and able to finish the race should I enter it.” There was a fear that maybe these are the last several months that she’ll know my name, that she’ll recognize me.” “I also wanted to squeeze every good minute out of our time together, honestly, not knowing how much more of it we would have.
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“At the time, I didn’t feel I could care for her and fulfill the duties of running full time and giving it everything,” he said. He did not reveal details publicly at the time, but now says he withdrew because his 80-year old mother has been diagnosed with dementia and her health was deteriorating after she suffered a fall on the street. Van Bramer dropped out of a special election race for the borough president’s seat, which was scheduled for March but ultimately canceled because of the pandemic. Other development battles are brewing in Queens, including a controversial plan to rezone part of the Flushing Creek waterfront for residential development. “That was a troubling and telling incident.” “There have been several instances, Industry City being one of them, where REBNY and big powerful forces fought against local community organizing and opposition,” Van Bramer said. Van Bramer opposed the project, which ultimately died. Richards and Bronx City Council Member Ritchie Torres, who has been elected to Congress, came out in favor of another project at Industry City in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, and urged the Council to approve it over the objections of the local member, Carlos Menchaca. The land remains mostly undeveloped, after the city severed ties with a group of developers working on an alternative project in September. Richards has criticized that stance, saying the borough lost out on the chance for 25,000 jobs. Van Bramer was a leading opponent of Amazon’s plan for a new headquarters in Long Island City, in his City Council district, which was ultimately scrapped due to local opposition. “More than ever, we need elected officials who are not cozying up to power brokers, machine leaders, REBNY, and willing to take them on,” Van Bramer said, referring to the Real Estate Board of New York, which backed Richards’ candidacy. The two politicians are often on opposite sides of battles over real estate development in Queens and around the city, one of the few areas where borough presidents have formal powers. Van Bramer was a candidate for the open Queens BP seat, but dropped out citing family circumstances. “I think a lot of people, not just myself, are interested in thinking about a progressive challenge here, and I’m open to it and seriously considering it,” Van Bramer said.
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