Ingrid Gomez (Courtesy of GomezforQueens)
Oct. 22, 2020 By Christian Murray
Ingrid Gomez, a long time Corona resident, formally announced today that she is running to unseat Council Member Francisco Moya to represent the 21st Council District.
Gomez, a clinical social worker and self-described progressive, said she was prompted to run after seeing up close the toll COVID-19 had taken on the district—which covers Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and LeFrak City.
Gomez says that Moya did not do enough for the community during the height of the pandemic and does not deserve to be reelected.
“The stories of my clients as well as the inaction of elected leaders inspired me to run,” Gomez said.
She said that she got a front row seat to the devastation caused by the virus through her job as a therapist at the Child Center of New York’s Early Childhood Center in Corona.
She said that she was alarmed by the turmoil, which prompted her to co-found the Corona Mutual Aid Network to help people in need.
Gomez, who immigrated to the United States from Colombia with her family as a child, says she is an advocate for progressive causes.
She co-founded the Queens United Independent Progressives, a political organization that advocates for progressive causes based out of Jackson Heights.
Gomez is an advocate for allowing non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections; bringing green technology jobs to the district—potentially at Willets Point; and for the construction of affordable housing for people who are truly in need.
She calls for diversifying community boards–and providing boards with a binding say on re-zonings.
Gomez also believes the NYPD budget needs to be cut, with funds reallocated to social services.
She is running in one of the few districts in Queens where the incumbent is able to seek reelection.
Only Adrienne Adams, Robert Holden, Barry Grodenchik and Moya — are eligible for another term. Grodenchik, however, announced last week that he will not seek another term.
Gomez is one of two challengers looking to unseat Moya, according to filings with the NYC Campaign Finance Board. The other is Talea Wufka.
We talk to Gomez about her views and her quest for office. For more information on Gomez, click here.
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