Business Leader Launches Grassroots Campaign to Revive Community

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, John Choe, formally declared his candidacy to represent District 20 in the New York City Council. Riding a wave of popular support, John Choe launched his campaign on the steps of the Queens Public Library with community leaders representing the diversity of District 20.

“The pandemic has killed 24,000 New Yorkers since March and has devastated our economy. This is unacceptable,” said John Choe. “And yet, with all this suffering, what is the City doing? Mayor de Blasio is railroading through a plan to build 1700 luxury condos, a fancy hotel and shopping center on the Flushing waterfront.”

Community leaders, including Chief Little Fox of the Matinecock Nation, Marcia Hu of AE3 Pharmacy, Sheldon Minnus of Victory United, Youngsoo Choi of the Korean American Alliance, Mel Gagarin and Janet Gutierrez from Flushing for Equitable Development & Urban Planning (FEDUP) Coalition, and Maureen Regan from Green Earth Urban Gardens spoke in support of John Choe's campaign to represent District 20 in the New York City Council.

“John Choe is someone who is not motivated by politics, but by what is going on in his community. He is a leader who is filled with compassion, care, and love for the people he leads,” said Mel Gagarin, former candidate for Congress (D-6) and member of the FEDUP Coalition.

“With the pandemic affecting New York, John Choe was the first person to organize weekly food deliveries to help out seniors in our community with volunteers. And he also participated in the local food pantry La Jornada to Flushing residents, said Janet Gutierrez, a community activist and member of FEDUP. “And he also helps out with volunteers to clean up the Flushing area.”

“It’s been an honor and privilege to be able to work on so many community projects with John Choe over the years. And that is something that we need more of in City government. We need more elected officials who are all about the community, and that’s exactly what we’re getting with John,” said Sheldon Minnus, Founder of Victory United, a local nonprofit organization that develops youth in our community.

“Look at what John Choe has done as a community organizer and public official in the past 20 years. John was always on the street with immigrants and small business owners, he was always with our seniors and neighbors in need, and he was always with the underrepresented. We all know John can hit the ground running and work for each and every one of us,” said Youngsoo Choi, Chairperson of the Korean American Alliance for Cancel Rent and Tax Relief.

“Today, I officially launch my candidacy for City Council in District 20,” stated John Choe. “I’m a first-generation immigrant and longtime Flushing resident. For two decades, I’ve been a small business advocate, fighting for working families and economic prosperity for all. As someone who’s experienced firsthand the issues that District 20 faces, I know the time is long past due for real solutions. And I will fight at City Hall to deliver them.”

To learn more about John Choe's campaign to bring people together and improve our community, please visit johnchoe.nyc.