Lynn Schulman (schulman2021.com)
March 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Congress Member Grace Meng endorsed community activist Lynn Schulman for the 29th Council District seat Wednesday.
Meng said Shulman, who is running for the seat that represents Forest Hills and adjacent neighborhoods, has proved her support for the community through her years of work and activism.
“Lynn Schulman has been a progressive force in our community for decades; fiercely advocating to better the lives of everyone — especially the vulnerable and overlooked,” Meng said in a statement. “She’s never been afraid of speaking truth to power to aid those who need it most, and most recently has stepped up to support the Asian American community in its battle against the proliferation of hate crimes.”
Schulman has crossed paths with many legislators — including Meng — through her work as the senior community and emergency services liaison to Council Speaker Corey Johnson. She also served as a Vice-Chair of Queens Community Board 6 for more than 20 years.
Meng said she has seen Schulman advocate for the local community in the City Council firsthand.
“Queens can depend on Lynn to fight on the issues that matter most to our community, especially fixing the hospital shortage, investing in our public schools, and taking care of our seniors,” she said. “I have witnessed Lynn’s community activism and work in the City Council for years, and I’m confident she is the best person to represent us.”
Schulman said she was honored to have Meng’s endorsement.
“Together, we will be a force that will continue to champion for the City’s hardest-hit borough amidst the pandemic,” she said. “Congresswoman Meng and I are both long-time community advocates who are deeply rooted in the Queens community.”
The district 29 Council seat representing Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill is currently held by Council Member Karen Koslowitz, who is term-limited.
The other candidates in the running are David Aronov, Michael Conigliaro, Avi Cyperstein, Sheryl Fetik, Aleda Gagarin, Eliseo Labayen, Marcelle Lashley-Kabore, Douglas Shapiro, Edwin Wong and Donghui Zang.
Rep. Meng lent her support to another candidate for Council last month as well.
She endorsed Sandra Ung in the District 20 race to represent Flushing, Murray Hill and Queensboro Hill.
The two women have formed a close relationship over years of working together. For the last eight years, Ung has worked in Meng’s office handling constituent services and community outreach operations as a special assistant.
“I have known Sandra for some two decades as a friend, volunteer and colleague,” Meng said in a statement. “Over the years, I have watched her learn and grow, and commit herself to public service where I’ve seen her many talents firsthand.”
Meng gave Ung a glowing endorsement.
“She is the right person for the job,” she said. “She will make an outstanding member of the City Council and she’ll fight each and every day for all the constituents she represents. I need Sandra as my partner in government so that we can work to build a brighter future, and to make our neighborhoods even better places to live and work.”
Most recently, Ung was endorsed by Assembly Member Nily Rozic.
Sandra Ung (Sandra for New York)
“Sandra Ung’s unwavering dedication to serving her neighbors in Flushing through years of non-profit advocacy and government service have prepared her to serve as the next Council Member for the 20th District,” Rozic said in a statement. “I’m proud to endorse her campaign and look forward to continuing our work together uplifting Queens families.”
Last week Ung garnered the support of sitting D-20 Council Member Peter Koo, who is term-limited.
Koo said he’s backing Ung as his replacement after months of deliberating which candidate would help small businesses in Flushing that are hurting because of the pandemic.
“The next Council Member must be someone who truly understands the value of small businesses and is willing to do everything he or she can to help,” he said in a statement. “Therefore, after months of serious consideration and observation, I am endorsing Sandra for City Council.”
Ung’s recent endorsements mark her as the only candidate in the District 20 race to have support from all levels of government — local, state and federal, according to her campaign. She also has been endorsed by State Sen. Toby Stavisky and Assembly Member Catalina Cruz.
The other candidates running to replace Koo are Hailing Chen, John Choe, Isak Khaimov, Ming-Kang Low, Anthony Miranda, Yu-Ching Pai, Neng Wang, Sam Wong, Dao Yin and Ellen Young.
