March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, a citywide LGBTQ Democratic club, named Queens candidate Julie Won as its latest pick for City Council.
The club endorsed Won for the 26th District seat representing Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and a section of Astoria on Monday.
“With anti-Asian bigotry and violence on the rise, it is more important than ever that Julie becomes our next City Councilmember,” club president Allen Roskoff said in a statement.
Won, who is Korean American, organized a vigil in remembrance of the Atlanta shooting victims as well as a rally against Asian hate earlier this month.
Roskoff also said Won has a proven record of supporting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and other traditionally underserved groups.
“Julie has also shown unwavering support for women, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” he said. “Julie has put together an innovative and comprehensive platform to protect and advance the civil and human rights of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.”
Won said she was thrilled to be endorsed by the Jim Owles Club and join its members in working towards its progressive mission.
“From ending housing discrimination to decriminalizing sex work, I am proud to join this historic organization in the fight for human rights for all New Yorkers,” she tweeted.
Roskoff said Won has a plans to achieve her platform goals.
“Whether it’s ending housing discrimination, combating bullying in our schools, or rescuing local LGBTQIA+ businesses, Julie has a plan to get it done,” he said. “The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club could not be more excited to endorse Julie Won in her campaign for City Council.”
Won is one of 20 candidates vying for the seat currently held by term-limited Jimmy Van Bramer. Van Bramer must vacate the seat at the end of the year. He is running for the Queens Borough President position.
Other D-26 candidates include Amit Bagga, Jonathan Bailey, Tavo Bortoli, Lorenzo Brea, Giselle Burgess, Julia Forman, Glennis Gomez, Marvin Jeffcoat (Republican), Denise Keehan-Smith, Badrun Khan, Heajin Kim, Jesse Laymon, Sultan Maruf, Brent O’Leary, Micah Peterson, Steven Ragga, Alexander Rias, Emily Sharpe, Ebony Young, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club has chosen candidates to support in at least seven other Council races in Queens.
The club has endorsed Austin Shafrin for District 19, Tiffany Cabán for District 22, Jaslin Kaur for District 23, Shekar Krishnan for District 25, Nantasha Williams for District 27, Lynn Schulman for District 29 and Felicia Singh for District 32.
