From left to proper: D36 candidates Rana Abdelhamid, Shivani Dhir, Mary Jobaida and Diana Moreno at a current candidate discussion board in Astoria. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
Candidates working to switch Mayor Zohran Mamdani within the thirty sixth Meeting District in western Queens took half in a candidate discussion board Jan. 3 at Astoria’s Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Membership.
Diana Moreno, who secured a nomination from the Queens Democratic Get together shortly after Saturday’s discussion board, joined fellow candidates Rana Abdelhamid, Mary Jobaida and Shivani Dhir on the packed occasion to stipulate their campaigns for the upcoming particular election to switch Mamdani.
Moreno, who’s endorsed by Mamdani and the New York Metropolis chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is the clear frontrunner forward of the Feb. 3 particular election after securing the nomination from the Queens Democratic Get together on Monday.
However Abdelhamid and Jobaida have each signaled their intent to run within the particular election alongside third-party poll strains, whereas Dhir has dropped out of the particular election to give attention to the Democratic main in June.
Moreno described receiving the Queens Democratic Get together’s nomination because the “honor of a lifetime,” stating at Saturday’s discussion board that she was working to “delivery affordability” to working households and combat again towards what she described as authoritarianism from the Trump Administration.
Moreno speaks at Saturday’s candidate discussion board. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
Dhir acknowledged on the discussion board that she was the “most unknown” of the 4 candidates working to switch Mamdani, describing her marketing campaign as one which aimed to create financial energy and stability locally.
Abdelhamid, the founding father of neighborhood non-profit Malikah and a member of the DSA, is working a marketing campaign advocating for tenant and immigrant safety. In a press release confirming that she is remaining within the race issued after Moreno picked up the Queens Democratic Get together nomination, Abdelhamid mentioned her marketing campaign is predicated in “grassroots organizing,” additionally touting her roots in the area people.
“As a lifelong Astoria resident, I was raised by this neighborhood and shaped by its struggles,” Abdelhamid mentioned in a press release. “Astoria and Long Island City know a community candidate when they see one. My campaign is based in grassroots organizing, rooted in our families and standing against the weight of institutional power.”
She additionally insisted that her marketing campaign is predicated “outside traditional establishment structures,” which she mentioned shut out working-class voters.
“Establishment politics creates unequal processes that leave too many people behind,” Abdelhamid mentioned. “We will petition and organize block by block, fighting until the very end.”
Rana Abdelhamid at Saturday’s discussion board. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
Jobaida, one other DSA member, has not but returned a request for remark however will run within the particular election alongside the Individuals First half line, based on Politico. Jobaida mentioned on the candidate discussion board that she is working to “bring power to the people so that no one in the district feels unheard or unseen.”
“I have seen what can be done when people are included,” Jobaida mentioned. “I’m fighting to make this district, make New York state very affordable, equitable and inclusive to each and everyone.”
D36 candidate Mary Jobaida. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
On the discussion board, moderators Antonio Alfonso and Kimberly Mullarkey-Perez — two Democratic Disrict Leaders within the thirty sixth Meeting District — quizzed candidates on a variety of subjects from legislative priorities to immigration coverage.
All candidates agreed that the affordability disaster is the best problem going through the district at current, with Jobaida additionally pointing to environmental injustice in the area people.
Moreno, in the meantime, mentioned the district is going through a “dual crisis of affordability and a crisis of democracy,” arguing that democracy had been threatened by a wave of “federal attacks” towards native residents.
Dhir acknowledged that 16,000 individuals reside under the poverty line within the district, including that it’s “imperative” to convey financial energy to the area people, whereas Abdelhamid outlined the necessity to help small companies by way of rent-stabilization and shield immigrant communities from the federal authorities.
Every candidate additionally expressed insurance policies to take care of the housing disaster, with Moreno calling for funding in public housing reminiscent of NYCHA developments in addition to investing within the long-term constructing of social housing and deeply reasonably priced housing.
Abdelhamid, alternatively, has vowed to combat for completely reasonably priced, mixed-income public housing in addition to advocating for the rights of low-income tenants within the district.
Dhir referred to as for creating extra alternatives for individuals to personal properties within the district, whereas Jobaida referred to as for low-interest loans for builders to construct social and really reasonably priced housing.
Shivani Dhir. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
Saturday’s discussion board noticed dozens of native residents cram into the Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Membership to listen to what candidates needed to say, with strains forming across the block to enter the membership.
Crowds packed into the Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Membership for the discussion board. Picture by Ramy Mahmoud.
Alfonso, one of many Democratic District Leaders who voted to appoint Moreno for the February particular election, credited every candidate for bringing “thoughtful ideas” to Saturday’s discussion board. Alfonso mentioned he voted to appoint Moreno as a result of she is going to convey “real progress” for the area people.
“Diana is prepared to fight for affordability for New Yorkers and to work with our Mayor and our partners in government to deliver real progress for our community,” Alfonso mentioned.
Mullarkey-Perez mentioned all 4 candidates have been “outstanding” however mentioned she had voted to appoint Moreno due to her plans for a “safer and more affordable district.”
The Feb. 3 particular election winner will earn the correct to carry Mamdani’s previous Meeting seat by way of the remainder of the 2026 calendar 12 months. The June Democratic main will resolve who can have the get together’s backing for the Meeting seat within the 2026 basic election.
