Democrats Unite Against Developer Controlled Political Machine

State Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Ron Kim, Council Member Brad Lander, and community leaders rallied in support of John Choe, candidate for City Council in District 20, at the Flushing Library on Main Street, urging residents of District 20 to get out and vote for Choe during Early Voting this weekend or on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 22.

“We are building a movement for honest, hard-working government accountable to the New Yorkers who live and work in our community -- not the real estate developers who pay off the politicians and manipulate our government,” stated John Choe, candidate for City Council. “We will not be intimidated by the threats and fear mongering of the billionaires and their cronies in Community Board 7. Today, we celebrate the new national holiday of Juneteenth by breaking the chains that have bound us to the profit-making dictates of the 1%. We envision and will fight for a more just, inclusive and sustainable future that is the birthright of every New Yorker: good homes, jobs, healthcare, education, and opportunity.”

Choe, the Executive Director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and Founder of the Flushing Interfaith Council, has come under attack as Election Day approaches. Common Sense NYC, a political action committee founded by Trump-supporting billionaires Stephen Ross and Ronald Lauder, has spent nearly $55,000 on negative ads and mailers attacking Choe--more than on any other Council candidate this year.

“Our community is suffering from outside attacks and internal division. We need a Council Member who can bring our diverse community together to fight for our common future. That’s why we’re standing with John Choe today,” stated Senator John Liu. “There’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. Let’s get out and vote for a more just, equitable and inclusive City!”

“It takes character, courage, and compassion to truly put people over profits. John Choe has all those traits and more. John is a proven public servant who will not sell us out to special interests and big real estate developers. John will stand up against corrupt and powerful politicians. He will always pursue and tell the truth,” stated Assembly Member Ron Kim. “I support John Choe for City Council because I know he will fight his hardest to deliver for our residents and neighborhoods. We ask our community to vote for John by Tuesday, June 22."

On June 12, Queens Community Board 7 moved to expel Choe, a Board member since 2017, citing allegations that are funhouse mirror images of Choe’s criticisms of the Board leadership’s pro-development policies and corrupt practices. Choe is the most visible and vocal critic of the Board leadership's failure to hire bilingual staff, refusal to approve a health clinic for low-income New Yorkers, potential violations of City procurement rules, and allowing the Vice Chair and Land Use Chair Charles Apelian to accept money from real estate developers he oversees.

"There's a reason that corporate real estate interests and their enablers in Community Board 7 are trying to stop John Choe,” said Council Member Brad Lander, who is running for NYC Comptroller. “John Choe is a determined advocate for people over profits. He has a long track record of fighting against displacement, for language access, and to support small businesses. He is exactly the kind of leader we need in the next City Council."

“Members of the Flushing Anti-Displacement Alliance have been working on a development framework that will benefit people already living and working in the area,” stated Cody Herrmann on behalf of FADA. “John Choe is the only City Council candidate in District 20 that has shown a commitment to our plan."

“Queens is the third most diverse county in America -- and the most diverse county in the continental U.S. John Choe is the right person to represent us at this most pivotal time as he has worked tirelessly with every ethnicity, religion and faith to create an environment for peace, respect, equality, care and mutual understanding in this district. Attacking John Choe only illustrates the fear of those who only ‘talk the talk,’ but do not walk the walk,” stated Cantor Alan J. Brava, proud resident and supporter of John Choe.

“Emgage PAC is proud to endorse John Choe in his run for City Council. We need a leader like John to address the many challenges immigrant and Muslim communities face,” stated Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor for Emgage Metro NY.

The Free Synagogue’s former Rabbi, Michael Weisser, also sent a statement: “I ask you to support John Choe in his campaign for City Council in District 20. John and I--and many of you--worked closely in the Flushing Interfaith Council for nearly eight years. He’s smart, hard-working, and deeply committed to bringing the District’s wonderfully diverse community together in peace and mutual understanding. I am confident he will tackle the district’s many problems with determination, listen to all sides to come up with solutions, and make effective use of his knowledge of City government.”

“In the wake of the pandemic, it is vital that we elect someone who actually has experience and the integrity to lead this district,” stated Danny Lee, Principal Consultant for D7 Solutions. “If you look through the many candidates’ histories, platforms, and donors, it becomes very clear there is only one candidate who truly embodies both of these qualities: John Choe.”

John Choe was also joined by New York State Committeeman Donald Henton of the Democratic Party; Healing Hearts Minister Verline Freeman of Macedonia AME Church; Bland Houses president Craig Kinsey; housing activist Bobby Nathan; New York State Committeeman James Hong of the Working Families Party; criminal justice advocate Carl Stubbs of VOCAL-NY; and, music producer Teresa Johnson.

John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and former Chief of Staff to John Liu, is a Democratic Party candidate to represent District 20 in the New York City Council and has secured the support of Congress Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' Courage to Change; Senators John C. Liu, Robert Jackson, and James Sanders, Jr.; Assembly Member Ron Kim; Council Members Brad Lander and Jimmy Van Bramer; State Committee Member Donald Henton; District Leader Émilia Decaudin; Queens Borough Historian Jack Eichenbaum; the Rev. Franklin Anderson of Macedonia AME Church; Maureen Regan, President of the Queensboro Hill Flushing Civic Association; Youngsoo Choi of the Korean American Alliance of Cancel Rent and Tax Relief; Sheldon Minnus of Victory United; as well as the Working Families Party (WFP), 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers, Make the Road New York, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, Community Voices Heard, National Association of Social Workers, Tenants PAC, Queens United Independent Progressives (QUIP), Streets PAC, Voters for Animal Rights, Resilience PAC; NO IDC NY; and, the New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN). For details, go to johnchoe.nyc.