NYC Primary Election 2020: Gregory Meeks Defends Seat In Congress

JAMAICA, QUEENS — Democrats in southeastern Queens will get to cast a ballot this month in a collection of local, state and federal primary races — including the 5th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks will have to defend his seat against challenger Shaniyat Chowdhury.

Meeks, a resident of Hollis, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1998 special election to fill the seat vacated by Floyd Flake. He is a senior member of the House's financial services and foreign affairs committees, and he serves as the chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party. He previously served in the New York State Assembly and as a supervising judge for the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, and he also worked as a prosecutor in Queens. He received a bachelor's degree in history from Adelphi University and a law degree from Howard University.

The 5th Congressional District includes the Rockaway Peninsula and the neighborhoods of Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, Laurelton, Queens Village, Rosedale, St. Albans, Springfield Gardens and South Ozone Park. The district also covers John F. Kennedy International Airport and Inwood, Valley Stream and Elmont in Nassau County.

• READ MORE: Shaniyat Chowdhury Takes On Rep. Meeks

The primary election, slated for June 23, is open to registered Democratic voters. All New York voters may request a mail-in ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ballots must be postmarked by the date of the election for the vote to get counted.

For those who want to head to the polls, click here to find your poll site. Early voting is available from June 13 to June 21.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the primary election to create these profiles. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Gregory W. Meeks

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)

67

NYC neighborhood of residence

Hollis, Queens

Position Sought

U.S. Congress

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Simone (wife), Ebony Meeks-Laidley, Aja Meeks and Nia Meeks (daughters)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Ebony works for the NYC Council, Aja works for the Office of the City Comptroller

Education

J.D. Howard University

Occupation

Member of Congress - 22 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

NYS Assembly

Campaign website

www.congressmangregorymeeks.co...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to continue serve my community as their representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is a tremendous honor, and a position I take extremely seriously. Over my tenure, my district has seen tremendous change, and working with my colleagues in government and leaders in the community, we have been able to work together to improve the quality of life for the residents and increase opportunities for their children. Our work is far from done. I want to continue to fight for what the 5th District needs. What have come so far, yet we have some ways to go.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Recovery. We are in the midst of a pandemic, and in the midst of one of, if not the worst Presidency in our lifetime. Our communities were on an upward trajectory after the Obama Presidency. Coming out of serious economic state, the housing crisis, tax cuts for the rich, 2 wars, working with President Obama, we were able to get the country moving in the right direction. Since 2016, we have gone backwards. The Republican-led Senate and President Trump have tried to steer America off the rails. With the people behind us, the House of Representatives have been able to slow them. We need experienced leadership to hold strong, and bring more Democrats to the fold to get our country moving in the right direction once again.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. While I don't know much about my opponent, I believe that my experience is what the district and our country needs right now. My experience crafting legislation, working in Washington, my experience in the community all are integral and what I beleive the district needs now.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Let me expand on recovery. We need to build on our past successes. We have to get healthcare to all people. This pandemic has shown more than ever that our healthcare system needs reform, we are already working on criminal justice reform. We have to continue to redevelop the district to provide more housing. We have to continue the reconstruction of JFK Airport and ensure that local residents participate in the project. We have to improve our transportation infrastructure and we have to bring back jobs, and increase affordable housing.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over the years, I have delivered what's been needed. I have worked to bring the funding to build the Airtrain and Jamaica Station, improving transportation in the district. I created the SEMAA program at York College to help children prepare for STEM careers. I have assisted thousands of constituents with the immigration issues. I have held government, Mayors and Governors accountable in their delivery of services to the district. I have drafted legislation to hold banks accountable to serve our residents. I have stood with my colleagues in Washington to increase jobs, pushed the Port Authority to hire women and minority owned businesses on local projects. Please go to Meeks.house.gov for more.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never forget where you came from, where you are going, and who helped you get there. No person is a success on their own.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want the voters to know that I understand them and what they want. I want the same things. I started out in public housing and through mentoring, educational opportunity, a village that helped raise me and family love got me here today. I raised my daughters trying to provide the same things. I believe in representing them, and the residents in Washington, DC. We are all in this together.