Democratic Socialist, Inspired By AOC, Will Challenge Jamaica Rep

SOUTH JAMAICA, QUEENS — A 27-year-old Democratic socialist from South Jamaica will run against the Queens party boss next year for a seat in Congress, according to reports.

Marine veteran and political organizer Shaniyat Chowdhury is launching a bid to challenge U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks in the Democratic primary election in 2020, he told City & State in an exclusive interview. Meeks became the leader of the Queens Democratic Party in March.

The congressional seat covers Jamaica, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Laurelton, Queens Village, Rosedale, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park and the Rockaways.

The district "has the opportunity to be one of the most progressive seats in the country," Chowdhury told City & State. "Currently it’s being wasted on a corporatist that hasn’t represented our interests in a very, very long time."

Chowdhury hopes to pull off an upset victory similar to the one by his former boss: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Chowdhury started volunteering for Ocasio-Cortez's congressional campaign, which succeeded in unseating Queens party boss Joe Crowley in a primary election in 2018, then became a staffer.

The Muslim son of Bangladeshi immigrants, Chowdhury lives in NYCHA's South Jamaica Houses and works at Terraza 7, the beloved Latin music club in Elmhurst. He attended the Information Technology High School in Long Island City and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and he spent six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, according to City & State.

Chowdhury is also a rugby player. He launched a GoFundMe campaign in January to raise money to travel to Australia this summer and play for the India National Rugby League Team.

Read the full story in City & State.