City Council Candidate Debra Markell announced her candidacy for the New York City Council’s District 23 on Friday. As an experienced government and community leader, she is running for office in order to get New York back on track.
“I am excited to be a candidate for the 23rd Council District. The district has a long history of strong representatives who fight hard for the needs of Eastern Queens. My experience in government and as a community leader uniquely prepares me for this race. When I look ahead at the daunting challenges facing our city, it is evident that experience is crucial to getting our city back on track. While COVID-19 changed our way of life on many levels, I know we can come back stronger” said Markell.
Markell is one of seven candidates so far declared for District 23 in the citywide 2021 election with the New York City Campaign Finance Board. District 23 represents Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, and Queens Village.
A former Queens Community Board member and president of 109th Precinct Community Council, Markell is the Democratic State Committeewoman for the 26 District. She is the District Manager of Queens Community Board 2 and Chair of the Flushing Hospital Advisory Board. In addition to these roles, she is the Chairwoman of the F.D.R. Democratic Club Executive Committee.
Markell has also been a Queens leader citywide, having served as the Queens Director of the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit from 1998 to 2006.
“My service in the Mayor’s office and city government has shown me how the City of New York and Queens operates. In this critical time, we need experienced leaders who can go to City Hall and bring valuable resources back to our district. I am running for City Council because I believe I am that leader,” she said.
Markell plans to focus on key issues including fighting for senior services programs, improved transportation measures, championing co-op and condo owners’ rights, stronger public education, and public safety that protects all residents.
Born and raised in Queens, Markell is a resident of North Shore Towers where she lives with husband Barry. Debra serves as the North Shore Towers Political Director and is a former Vice President of its Board of Directors. She attended Queensborough Community College.
