Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and actor Kal Penn (Jimmy Van Bramer for Queens Borough President)
Jan. 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer earned an endorsement from Hollywood today.
Van Bramer was endorsed by actor Kal Penn, who starred in NBC’s short-lived show “Sunnyside,” for Queens Borough President Tuesday.
Penn played a disgraced former council member whose district included Sunnyside — the same neighborhood represented by Van Bramer in the council — on the show. The show was pulled from the air after just four episodes, with the remainder of the season available to stream online.
The actor, who also worked as a White House staff member under President Barack Obama, said he has been impressed by Van Bramer’s record of helping Queens residents.
“Jimmy’s care for his constituents has stood out in my mind since meeting him,” Penn said in a statement. “He has a strong, progressive record of protecting working families and community businesses, and has been impressively inclusive and forward-thinking.”
He said Van Bramer will help the borough recover from the pandemic.
“Given the health and economic hardships facing our fellow New Yorkers, I’m especially excited to support the candidacy of someone as experienced, tough, and caring as Jimmy,” Penn said.
It’s Penn’s second time endorsing Van Bramer for Queens Borough President.
He gave Van Bramer his stamp of approval in January of last year when a special election was scheduled to replace former Borough President Melinda Katz. Katz vacated her seat to take over as Queens District Attorney.
Van Bramer dropped out of the race later that month, citing family reasons, and the election was ultimately won by Donovan Richards. Richards will serve as borough president through the end of the year — to complete Katz’s term.
Richards and Van Bramer will once again face off — this time for a full four-year term. A primary for Queens Borough President will be held in June, followed by a general election in November.
According to the New York City Campaign Finance Board, Danniel Maio, a mapmaker from Forest Hills; Stan Morse, tenant organizer with the Justice for All Coalition; and Diana Sanchez have also filed candidate certifications for the BP seat.
Former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, who came in second to Richards in the June 2020 primary, is also mulling another run.
9 Comments
Good , he found one person who supports his progressive nonsense.
Boy Jimmy you are really a washed up politician. Can’t you see it from the comments and the people on the streets who despise you for not standing with them. You stood too far to the liberal left, forgot the G-d fearing families, home owners, tax paying, hard working, job oriented people in this district, the backbone of this community who want good schooks, safe neighborhoods, wanted Amazon to come in and bring jobs, boy did you screw up that one being on the wrong side. You instead supported a $40 million dollar library, bike lanes, homeless hotels, bail reform, shutting down rikers island and drag Queen story hour. Now you are all alone, Joe Crowley thinks your a snake for switching sides to AOC so quickly, not even Kathy Nolan wants to be photographed with you.
Failed actor endorses incompetent, corrupt politician. A classic story.
Screwing up CB 2 wasn’t enough? Wants to destroy the borough.
Because famous people have all the right answers for Queens and know what’s best for us.
JVB will say yes or no and paint a pretty picture. He’s a community service leader, not a leader w ideas. If we elect him we’re doomed.
Who?
If only JVB could be pulled off the air too.
Lets hope JVB’s political career is as short lived as the TV show.