U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (Western Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn) is receiving key endorsements and organizing fundraisers ahead of the Democratic primary in June.
Maloney has been representing New York’s 12th Congressional District since first winning the seat in 1992. She’s defeated candidates in every Democratic primary and won two years ago with 90 percent of the vote.
This year she is facing two opponents: Suraj Patel, a former campaigner for Barack Obama, and Sander Hicks, a peace activist. The latest Federal Election Commission data shows Hicks having nearly $1,000, while Patel’s campaign raised over $450,000. In contrast, Maloney’s campaign has over $640,000 on hand.
Patel is determined to wage a tough campaign against Maloney, using digital media to target youths in the district.
Yet Maloney received key endorsements from many New York public officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, the West Village, and parts of Flatiron, SoHo, parts of the Upper West).
“Every day, there’s a new threat out of Washington, D.C.—and I’ve never been more thankful to have Rep. Carolyn Maloney in Congress to fight back for all New Yorkers,” Johnson said. “Rep. Maloney has always been fearless when taking on the powerful, and I know I can count on her to keep standing up to the Trump administration and their hateful agenda.”
Johnson will even headline a fundraiser for Maloney on March 27 in the district that will attract current and former officials, such as former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst).
Maloney also received endorsements outside of New York from lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California). The two have worked together in Congress pushing legislation to preventing sexual assault for example.
“I’m thrilled to endorse Carolyn Maloney in her re-election bid to Congress,” said Khanna. “Carolyn has been a bold leader throughout her career and a champion for women with an amazing record of delivering results on everything from combating sexual assault to protecting funding for women’s healthcare. With President Trump in the White House and Republicans in control of Congress, we need a bold leader like Carolyn Maloney in Congress now more than ever.”
The Democratic nominee for the 12th Congressional district will be decided on June 26.
