Kathryn Garcia and Jim Gennaro campaigning in Briarwood (Twitter)
June 21, 2021 By Christina Santucci
Queens City Councilmember James Gennaro and former city Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia cross endorsed one another Friday.
Garcia is running in the Democratic primary for mayor and Gennaro is seeking re-election to the 24th District Council seat he won in a special election earlier this year. Primary Day is Tuesday.
“I know Kathryn to be a driven, laser-focused, and effective problem solver who has already made a huge difference in the lives of New Yorkers. And she is also a practical and compassionate visionary who will make New York City work for everyone,” Gennaro said in a statement.
Gennaro—who represents the neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Briarwood and adjacent areas— praised Garcia and said her vision for the city is more likely to become a reality than her competitors given her experience.
He cited her past service as Sanitation commissioner and roles in the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as her work making sure New Yorkers had clean water after Superstorm Sandy. He also noted how she headed the city’s emergency food program during the pandemic.
“Our city needs to work again – people need to be safe on the streets, essential services need to be delivered, people and businesses in need in the aftermath of COVID need assistance, and this all needs to be done by someone who has long experience and great success in doing this, and who has a heart,” Gennaro said in the statement.
Garcia said she was proud to receive Gennaro’s endorsement and lauded the Councilmember’s past work on environmental issues.
“A lifelong public servant, he has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change – an issue that has been at the center of my campaign and will be at the very top of my agenda as mayor,” Garcia said in a statement.
Garcia has also scored the backing of Queens Assemblymembers Cathy Nolan and Nily Rozic for the top ballot spot.
Congressmembers Nydia Velázquez and Grace Meng, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato and former Councilmember Costa Constantinides have ranked her as their second choice.
Velázquez endorsed mayoral Maya Wiley for the top spot, Meng is supporting Andrew Yang, Addabbo and Pheffer Amato have backed Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Constantinides gave his nod to city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
Gennaro is running against fellow Democrats Moumita Ahmed, Saifur R. Khan and Mohammed Uddin in Tuesday’s Primary.
