New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) activist Carmen Quinones, who is the tenant association president at Douglass Housing, has announced her plans to run for the 69th Assembly District.
The seat is currently held by Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell, who recently said he will not be seeking reelection after more than 20 years in office. The district covers Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights, and the Upper West Side.
“Together, we will navigate the complex landscape of legislative change, bringing about reforms that truly benefit us all,” said Quinones in a statement. “As your assemblymember, I will be a tireless advocate for our dreams, our struggles, and our shared vision of a community where every resident thrives.”
Quinones is known to be a fierce advocate of the nation’s largest public housing system. She pledged to work toward a flourishing, unified community. She aims to improve public safety, education, and workforce development in the district. She has hosted numerous food giveaways and voter registration drives, and is currently working to pave the way for homeownership in NYCHA communities.
Quinones ran for the City Council in District 7 in 2021 and lost. This time around, Quinones is running as a Democrat and is up against four other candidates in the assembly race: Melissa Kate Rosenberg, Eli Clemans Northrup, Barry Weinberg, and Micah C. Lasher.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.