Diana Moreno has secured the Queens Democratic Social gathering’s nomination forward of a particular election subsequent month. Photograph by way of Kara McCurdy/Moreno Marketing campaign.
The Queens Democratic Social gathering has formally nominated democratic socialist Diana Moreno because the get together’s nominee in a particular election dash to succeed Mayor Zohran Mamdani within the thirty sixth Meeting District subsequent month.
Moreno, one in every of 4 candidates working to switch Mamdani in western Queens, will now seem on the Democratic Social gathering line for the particular election, which Gov. Kathy Hochul has set for Feb. 3.
An Ecuadorian-born organizer and a member of the New York Metropolis chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Moreno, one in every of three DSA members working for Mamdani’s seat, is the clear frontrunner to succeed the mayor in New York’s thirty sixth Meeting District. Since launching her marketing campaign in October, she has additionally been endorsed by the DSA and Mamdani himself.
Democratic district leaders for Meeting District 36 met with Queens County Democratic Social gathering Chair Gregory Meeks Monday morning to formally designate Mereno because the get together’s nominee for February’s particular election, which Moreno described because the “honor of a lifetime.”
“Thank you to our local Democratic District Leaders and Congressmember Gregory Meeks for entrusting me with the immense responsibility of succeeding Mayor Zohran Mamdani and representing Astoria and Long Island City in the state legislature,” Moreno stated in a press release welcoming the nomination.
Meeks stated the Queens Democratic Social gathering was “putting forward a leader” who understands the affordability disaster going through New York Metropolis.
“Today’s nomination reflects the strength and depth of leadership in the 36th Assembly district,” Meeks stated. “By working alongside Mayor Mamdani in nominating Diana Moreno, we’re placing ahead a pacesetter who understands the urgency of creating New York extra reasonably priced for working households and is able to ship outcomes.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the Mayor and partners at every level of government to meet this moment and ensure the 36th Assembly District continues moving forward.”
DSA candidate makes breakthrough with Queens Dem chair
Meeks’ help represents a significant victory for each Mamdani and the DSA.
The Queens Democratic Chair notably declined to endorse Mamdani even after he gained the Democratic mayoral major final June, however his help for a DSA candidate within the upcoming particular election represents a possible shift in New York Metropolis politics following Mamdani’s election final November.
Mamdani’s former Meeting District can also be a DSA stronghold represented by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Congress and Council Member Tiffany Cabán within the Metropolis Council.
The Queens Democratic Social gathering, which usually endorses extra reasonable candidates, had little alternative however to appoint Moreno or face the potential humiliation of shedding the particular election to Moreno as a third-party candidate.
On Saturday, shortly earlier than securing the Democratic nomination, Moreno participated in a District 36 candidate discussion board alongside fellow candidates Rana Abdelhamid, Mary Jobaida and Shivani Dhir at Astoria’s Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Membership.
Antonio Alfonso and Kimberly Mullarkey-Perez, two Democratic District Leaders in AD 36 who moderated Saturday’s discussion board, introduced their help for Moreno in statements issued Monday morning.
Alfonso stated he was impressed by all candidates who participated in Saturday’s discussion board and praised Moreno for promising “real progress.”
“Diana is prepared to fight for affordability for New Yorkers and to work constructively with our Mayor and our partners in governmentto deliver real progress for our community,” Alfonso stated in a press release.
Mullarkey-Perez, in the meantime, described Moreno’s nomination as a chance to “build bridges” for all D36 constituents.
“I’m looking forward to working with Diana Moreno for a safer and more affordable district. While the decision wasn’t easy due to all the outstanding candidates. I thank them for all the hard work they have and will continue to do for our community,” Mullarkey-Perez stated.
Mamdani had beforehand endorsed Moreno at an occasion in Astoria shortly earlier than Christmas.
In a press release issued on Monday, the mayor described Moreno as a pacesetter who will “champion those who are forgotten in the halls of power.”
“I’m so proud of all that we achieved while I served the people of AD-36 and I can’t imagine anyone more capable of carrying our movement forward than Diana, who has fought tirelessly for union workers, immigrant communities, and our neighbors across this district,” Mamdani stated in a press release.
There is no such thing as a major election for the upcoming particular election, with Moreno now set to look on the Democratic Social gathering line within the election.
Abdelhamid, Jobaida, and Dhir should now enchantment to a third-party group such because the Working Households Social gathering if they’re to look on the poll subsequent month. WFP advised the Queens Each day Eagle that it’s going to nominate a candidate forward of the Jan. 9 poll deadline.
However with the help of Mamdani, the DSA and the Queens Democratic Social gathering behind her, Moreno is now in an extremely sturdy place to win the upcoming particular election even when one other candidate seems on the poll.
The Feb. 3 particular election winner will earn the correct to carry Mamdani’s outdated Meeting seat via the remainder of the 2026 calendar yr. The June Democratic major will resolve who can have the get together’s backing for the Meeting seat within the 2026 basic election.
