NYC Council District 26 Election: Glennis Gomez Seeks LIC Seat

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — Democratic voters in New York City's 26th Council district, which includes Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Dutch Kills, and parts of Astoria, will see 15 names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election — making it one of the most crowded primary races in the city.

One of those names will be Glennis Gomez, an organizer and NYC Department of Education employee

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Gomez's responses are below.

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

38

<b>Position Sought</b>

City Council

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Dem

<b>Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)</b>

Astoria

<b>Family</b>

Son, Glenn Nunez

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Education</b>

BA in Psychology

<b>Occupation</b>

Community Coordinator, DOE 2 years

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

N/A

<b>Campaign website</b>

glennisforqueens.com

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

I am an Afro Latina immigrant and organizer who has been an English language learner, a survivor of domestic violence, a homeless single mother, a NYC shelter resident, and a NYCHA resident right here in the district.
The life I have lived is a life that no one should ever have to go through in NYC. My struggles have left me a resilient fighter that is uniquely armed to bring the lived experiences that are desperately needed in City Hall.
Dedicated to public service and community organizing, I have organized my fellow NYCHA tenants, worked as a scheduler for current Congressman Adriano Espaillat, and has served as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa. Today, working at the NYC Department of Education where I hope to improve public education by lifting economic barriers to a quality education.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Affordable Housing - As a former NYCHA resident and NYCHA tenant organizer, I am uniquely aware of the trauma that NYCHA and homelessness causes for families. As New York City’s worst landlord, NYCHA needs accountability. The current federal monitor reviewing NYCHA’s progress is a former prosecutor from the Guiliani-era that gets paid $600 per hour. We cannot expect wealthy attorneys to effectively and positively ensure that NYCHA is fulfilling its duties.
Glennis will work to ensure that the city is supporting NYCHA tenants, and she will continue her long fight to bring money, support, and attention to the issues that NYCHA residents face every day.
We need to continue to build affordable housing under the current tax-break model for developers, while ensuring that the affordable housing loophole is closed so that the housing is truly affordable. We need to ensure that housing built on public land is truly and permanently affordable, while also ensuring that it specifically prevents displacement of minorities and communities of color. We need to find creative ways to build true affordable housing.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

My lived experiences. There's a whole group of people in this district that have been neglected. Our campaign has been amplifying the need to break a system of dependency. We must empower the next generation, strengthen our people, and invest in the places we haven't invested in far too long.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

Not giving enough to the part of the district that needs the most. We need a Councilmember that will fight for every single resident of this district.

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

We needed to do more outreach and provide support in NYCHA. While there were masks given out, NYCHA residents continued to live in terrible conditions. These conditions didn't make it easy for residents to be able to weather the brunt of coronavirus. Enough is enough for residents to live in deplorable conditions.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

We have a system of dependency we must break and empower the next generation by investing in education. Our children need exposure, access, and real opportunities regardless of their zip code.
The time is now to provide families with 100% affordable housing. We must end the crisis of homelessness.
A shelter is not a home. We need to close all shelters and move our working families into permanent housing, especially women victims of domestic abuse and their children.
Time is overdue and we must hold NYCHA accountable for its continued negligence. Our families are getting sick in their own apartments. The homes of our families are hazardous. Enough is enough for residents to live in deplorable conditions.
We also need to strengthen our people, they are hurting and need to return to the workforce. We need to prepare our working families with the tools necessary to survive in a digital era.
We must rescue and lift our small businesses, they are the backbone of our communities.
Is also time to make peace between NYPD and our community.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I've worked in government before. I was a Chief of Staff and Scheduler. I have learned how to navigate government and this gives me a unique background for when I become Councilmember.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

This is not the New York I want for my son, my neighbors, or my community. But we can make it that New York. We can strive for better. Here's an opportunity for us have someone in the Council with the experience and lived experiences so many New Yorkers have. I will fight every single day for the most vulnerable.