Carolyn Maloney Backed By Kallos, Menin Ahead Of Re-Election Bid

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney was endorsed for re-election Thursday by the Upper East Side's incoming and outgoing City Council members, in a show of support ahead of what may be a difficult primary election.

Ben Kallos, whose eight year-tenure in District 5 will end Dec. 31; and Julie Menin, who will take over for him, threw their support behind the neighborhood's longtime congresswoman in an announcement shared exclusively with Patch. Both cited her record of delivering federal funding to the neighborhood.

Maloney, 75, has represented the Upper East Side in Congress since 1993, having formerly served in the City Council. But her 12th District seat now includes outer-borough neighborhoods like Astoria, Queens and Greenpoint, Brooklyn — and the state's upcoming redistricting process is likely to alter the boundaries even further, potentially removing chunks of her Manhattan base.

Having defeated attorney Suraj Patel by a relatively narrow, 3,500-vote margin last year, Maloney has now drawn another progressive challenger: Rana Abdelhamid, an activist from Queens who announced her own candidacy in April. (Patel has also suggested he may run again, and housing activist Maya Contreras is likewise seeking the seat.)

But Kallos and Menin are sticking with Maloney — an unsurprising move, given the trio's shared political territory and history of working together on neighborhood projects.

Kallos cited Maloney's securing millions in funds to repair the East River Esplanade, extend the Second Avenue Subway, renovate Southpoint Park on Roosevelt Island and create a universal 3-K program in the city. Menin, meanwhile, praised her work on the city's 2020 Census outreach — a campaign that Menin led and that Maloney scrutinized as chair of the House Oversight Committee.

"She is the East Side and Roosevelt Island’s fearless fighter in the Halls of Congress, and she is who we need as our representative," Kallos said.

Maloney said in a statement that she was "honored" by the two endorsements.

"I look forward to building on our accomplishments with Councilmember-elect Menin who has been a partner on getting a fair and accurate Census count in New York City," she said. "I am deeply grateful for their support."

Related coverage:

• Carolyn Maloney Draws Progressive Challenger In Re-Election Bid
• Carolyn Maloney To Seek Re-Election, Setting Up Patel Rematch
• Suraj Patel Concedes Defeat To Maloney In Congressional Race