The next leaders of Queens
Who will be the next borough president and district attorney of Queens?
Rep. Joe Crowley, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and more sing the national anthem to celebrate 50th anniversary of World's Fair in Queens Flushing Meadows Park in 2014. lev radin/Shutterstock
Queens County Democratic Committee chairmanship might not be the only job that’s up for grabs.
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Queens borough president
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz is term-limited in 2021, and a number of elected officials already have their eyes on the seat. New York City Council members Jimmy Van Bramer, Donovan Richards, Costa Constantinides and Paul Vallone are known to be interested, as is former City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who lost her re-election bid last year. And Elizabeth’s cousin, Rep. Joseph Crowley, though an unlikely candidate, could never be counted out in a boroughwide race.
Queens district attorney
Queens County District Attorney Richard Brown has been the borough’s top prosecutor since 1991, but at 85 years old and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, there’s speculation that he won’t run for re-election in 2019. Among those interested in the post are New York City Councilman Rory Lancman, an ambitious lawyer who, as chairman of the City Council’s Justice System Committee, has been critical of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s policies, and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, a former lawyer who has been raising money for a possible 2021 mayoral run. State Sen. Michael Gianaris may also consider the office, though he would likely try to use it as a steppingstone to state attorney general, a job he has coveted. Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lasak is also in the mix. A former assistant district attorney, he has long been a county favorite to replace Brown, but insiders say his day may have passed.