He was the first candidate to announce he was running for Queens borough president, and now he's putting an end to his campaign, citing family reasons.
"Prioritizing my responsibilities as a son and brother is where my attention needs to be right now," Democratic Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer wrote in a message to supporters Tuesday.
Even though Van Bramer's mother has been sick for some time, the news, first reported by Politico, caught Queens politicians by surprise. Van Bramer has more than $200,000 in his campaign account.
THE 5 ELECTIONS FOR QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT
March 24, 2020: Non-partisan special election
June 2020: Primary for the remainder of Melinda Katz's term
November 2020: Election for the remainder of Melinda Katz's term
June 2021: Primary for the regular term
November 2021: Election for the regular term
Among the other eight candidates for this position, three are clearly in the top tier, all current or former elected officials focusing on three different issues:
Queens Councilman Donovan Richards: "The number one issue right now, without a doubt, is housing."
Queens Councilman Costa Constantinides: "We need a borough president who is going to be bold on climate."
And the only woman, former Queens Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley: "Transportation, when it comes to our borough, we have much less than Brooklyn, yet we are nearing the size and population."
Whoever wins the special election will become Queens borough president, but that victory might be short-lived. By law, there will be a partisan primary for the position in June and a general election in November.
"Without a doubt, we should figure out ways to streamline these elections," Richards said. "It's really about starting to get that work going."
The winner of the special election will serve a term that ends this December 31.
Whoever wins the November general election will be borough president for all of 2021.
Another primary and general election will be held next year.
"There are five races in two years," Constantinides said. "We are all trying to put forth a vision of how we can better Queens."
"Queens is still overwhelmingly the forgotten borough," Crowley said.
The non-partisan special election will be held on March 24.
The position opened after Melinda Katz was elected the new Queens district attorney.
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FURTHER COVERAGE OF THE RACE
Meet the Candidates: Alicia Hyndman Runs for Queens Borough President
Meet the Candidates: Anthony Miranda Runs for Queens Borough President
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