By:  Mario Mancini

A super PAC that supports pro-business initiatives has committed $500,000 to help the re-election campaigns of six moderate Democratic City Council members is facing primary challenges. The group, known as Future NYC, will allocate funds to assist Darlene Mealy in Brooklyn, Lynn Schulman, Linda Lee, and Shekar Krishnan in Queens, and Marjorie Velazquez and Kevin Riley in the Bronx, as reported by The Post.

Meanwhile, one of the 5 exonerated from the infamous Central Park jogger rape case of 1989 is also running for City Council in Harlem

This significant financial investment will be utilized for various campaign efforts, including mailers, digital advertisements, and get-out-the-vote initiatives. The funding spans the period from the start of early voting on June 17 until the primary election on June 27, the Post explained.

Jeff Leb, the treasurer of Future NYC, emphasized the group’s support for Marjorie Velazquez in District 13 of the Eastern Bronx. Velazquez garnered their backing due to her stance on the rezoning of Bruckner Boulevard in Throggs Neck, which aimed to create more affordable housing.

Leb emphasized that Velazquez should be commended for her commitment to this cause and not penalized for it. Velazquez faces opposition from Irene Estrada, Bernadette Ferrara, and John Perez.

Leb stated, “We are focusing on making sure that Marjorie Velazquez gets re-elected.” He acknowledged the challenges she faces from both the left and right and the likelihood of a spirited general election. Future NYC intends to employ multiple strategies, including mailers, digital advertising, billboard trucks, telephone outreach, and field operations, to support her campaign.

In Brooklyn’s District 41, Councilwoman Darlene Mealy, who is serving her third term, is encountering a formidable primary challenge from Isis McIntosh Green, with backing from the leftist Working Families Party, state Assembly members Latrice Walker and Brian Cunningham, and several unions. Jamilah Rose, a grant writer, is also vying for the position. Leb characterized Mealy as a pragmatic and centrist council member facing opposition from the extreme left.

Lynn Schulman, a first-term Councilwoman representing District 29 in Queens, is facing a challenging primary race against Ethan Felder. The district encompasses Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Richmond Hill. Sukhjinder “Sukhi” Singh Nijar is another Democratic candidate in the race. Leb described Schulman as a common-sense Democrat and accused Felder, who previously supported Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign, of attempting to change his ideology in a moderate district.

In District 23 of Eastern Queens, Councilwoman Linda Lee is being challenged by Steve Behar, a finance lawyer with campaign experience, and Rubaiya Rahman. Leb views Behar as Lee’s primary threat. Notably, Lee recently received endorsements from a coalition of police unions. Behar took to Twitter to criticize the Super PAC’s support for his opponent.

Councilman Shekar Krishnan, serving his first term in the 25th District covering Elmhurst and Jackson Heights in Queens, faces competition from Ricardo Pacheco, a retired NYPD officer, and Fatima Baryab, a nonprofit executive who previously lost to Krishnan in 2021. Leb described Krishnan as a left-of-center politician but highlighted his responsible approach compared to his more left-leaning challenger.

Councilman Kevin Riley, who previously worked as an aide to state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, represents Bronx District Council District 12, which includes Wakefield, Edenwald, Eastchester, Williamsbridge, Baychester, and Co-op City. Riley’s opponents in the primary are Aisha Hernandez Ahmed, a Co-op City resident and former chief of staff for the ousted Councilman Andy King, and Pamela Hamilton-Johnson.