Western Queens's 37th Assembly District Race: Brent O'Leary Profile

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — Voters in New York City's 37th Assembly district, which covers parts of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Fresh Pond will see four names on their ballots when they vote in the June 28 primary election.

One of those names will be Brent O'Leary, an attorney who is among the four Democrats vying for the open seat. (Incumbent member Cathy Nolan is retiring after nearly 40 years in the Assembly.)

Early voting runs from June 18-26. (Find your polling sites here.)

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles, asking for their positions on issues like affordable housing and public safety, and giving them the chance to describe their records in detail. O'Leary's responses are below.

Name

Brent O'Leary

Campaign website

https://brentfornyc.com

NYC neighborhood of residence

Long Island City

Office sought

State Assembly

District, if applicable

37th State Assembly District

Party affiliation

Democratic Party

Education

Trinity College, B.A. in History, Juris Doctorate Boston University Law School

Occupation

Lawyer

Family

Mother, Laureen O'Leary 89 years old, and Sister Heather O'Leary, 49 years old

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

52

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Democratic National Committee 2000-2004

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running because Queens is in crisis. Rising violent crime is ravaging our streets. Small businesses are being shuttered. Students are commuting hours to overcrowded classrooms. Our broken healthcare system has families going bankrupt to keep loved ones alive. We need politicians that work for the people.

I am an FDR Democrat I believe in giving people the tools to empower themselves and a strong social safety net to protect people when times are tough.

I will protect and empower our residents in the State Assembly. I’m running to build more schools and ensure excellent education for our children, so that small businesses are not priced out of their own neighborhoods, and so that violent criminals are kept off our streets

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Public Safety, I intend to pass criteria so that judges may keep violent offenders off the streets, pass meaningful gun reform and reinstitute community policing to bring police into the community and re-establish trust between the community and police

How would you address ongoing concerns about public safety in New York City?

In addition, I will establish training and accountability so that no person who is unfit to have the power of the badge will, we will make sure our police are trained the best and apply the law in an unbiased and just manner so that the community and police can work together to bring down crime and all feel safe walking the streets and riding the subways.

Do you think the NYPD's response to the recent surge in crime will affect efforts at police reform and, if so, how?

Yes, we will use this and all the data we have to make sure we have the best police force and law is applied justly in all communities.

What is one policy you would support to make housing more affordable in New York City?

Building truly affordable housing with the Mitchell Llama style programs, community land trusts and affordable housing with options for ownership which all provide long term affordability.

Should officials do more to encourage New Yorkers to return to work in person? If so, how? If not, why not?

We should support more ways to work remotely so there are more options and opportunities for work for all.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My track record of community service delivering for my community for the past 10 years, whether with food security, housing rights or afterschool and senior programs as President of the Board of Woodside on the Move, or fighting to make our government responsive to community needs as President of the Hunters Point Civic Association. This along with my experience as a business attorney at the highest levels for the past 28 years with skills in business, finance and negotiations . My blue collar values along with my white collar experience will let me deliver for my community.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Universal health Care, Affordable Housing, Quality Education, Responsible Development and changing to a green economy

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As President of Woodside on the Move, establishing after-schools programs so that all the children could have a wholistic education with arts, sports, tutoring and support, a housing program which serves 4000 people a year so that all have a roof over their heads, programs for our seniors so that they can live in dignity. Establishing 2 emergency food pantries during the pandemic which supplied over 200,000 people with food so no one was food insecure in our community and founding and running the Hunters Point Civic Association to make the government and elected officials accountable and responsive to our neighborhood.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

If it feels wrong, it probably is, stick to your principles

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My grandparents immigrated to New York City from Ireland in the 1910s,. My father worked until he was 74 as a Belmont race track ticket teller and a member of Local 3, the electricians union. I understand the sacrifices made by generations of my family to give me the opportunity for a better life. I remember my father telling me he didn’t realize he was poor because of how our community came together to provide for us. Every New Yorker deserves that same opportunity and support from our government.

I started working when I was 12: bus boy, waiter, mail room, concession stand and was able to attend college on financial aid. I then went to Japan and taught English for a year before returning and going to law school on financial aid. I had a successful career as an international business attorney for 25 years and now it's time to give back.