Brooklyn Councilman Carlos Menchaca officially announces his candidacy for Mayor.
Through messages on social networks, the councilman representing Sunset Park, Red Hook, Greenwood Heights, and some parts of Borough Park made known his desire to run in the Democratic primary next year for the office of Mayor.
In the video, Menchaca, of Mexican origin, highlights his childhood in public housing and as the son of a single mother.
Among his efforts, the councilor highlights that as President of the Immigration Committee he was the author of the IDNYC program of the city and also promotes a police reform.
“These are undoubtedly challenging times, but we must meet that challenge with a bold and progressive plan and not regress to the status quo that has failed us. We can do better and we must do better, “Menchaca said in his initial message about the reasons why he was running for mayor of New York.
“I have served on the city council for seven years fighting economic inequality, heartbreaking deportations and systemic racism. I have seen first-hand what works in city government and what needs to be improved. This fight is personal for me, “Menchaca added.
“I believe leadership means listening to communities, letting them tell us what they need, and then implementing bold and effective policy solutions that really improve people’s lives. This will be a guiding principle for our campaign and our administration. “
Menchaca joins a long list of contenders, including Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, former Cleaning Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, nonprofit executive Dianne Morales, former Mayor’s advisor, Maya Wiley and Shaun Donovan former secretary of the country’s Department of Housing.
Menchaca rose to prominence a few weeks ago when he led opposition to a multi-million dollar redevelopment project being planned for an area of Booklyn called Industry City.
Menchaca’s word – the project is located in his municipal district – was decisive in the fate of the project – in the end the promoters withdrew it. The councilor was criticized and praised for his position, depending on who made the comment.
The Industry City incident was similar to the one in Queens, when a group of liberal or leftist political leaders opposed the arrival of the giant Amazon in the district.
One of Menchaca’s great challenges will be obtaining funds for the campaign. Some of his opponents have been involved in a kind of unofficial campaign for months and have raised large sums of money.
It is no coincidence that Menchaca has already posted messages on social networks requesting funds, in this case, small donations – $ 10.
If Menchaca wins, he would be the first openly gay Latino to rule the city.
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