Amit Singh Bagga and Cynthia Nixon (Photo Provided By Amit For Council)
Feb. 4, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Actress and progressive activist Cynthia Nixon endorsed Amit S. Bagga today in the crowded 26th District council race.
The former gubernatorial candidate is Bagga’s second high-profile endorsement this week. He was endorsed by State Sen. Jessica Ramos on Tuesday.
The seat representing Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside and a portion of Astoria is currently occupied by term-limited Jimmy Van Bramer, who will complete his term at the end of the year.
Bagga, who recently served as the deputy director of the city’s 2020 Census campaign, is one of 19 candidates vying to replace Van Bramer.
The Sunnyside resident, who would be the first queer South Asian in the Council if elected, said it was an honor to win Nixon’s endorsement.
“She has been an inspiration to all of us fighting for real change,” Bagga said, noting her work on behalf of the BIPOC, immigrant, and queer communities. “I am deeply honored to have her support in building our collective movement to provide opportunity to all New Yorkers, so that we may all live with dignity, and build power – together.”
In turn, Nixon – known for her role in the Sex and the City series – said she is excited to support Bagga’s bid for city council.
“Amit’s got the clarity of vision, commitment of purpose, and experience in delivering real results for working New Yorkers that we will need to rebuild a just and inclusive economy,” Nixon said in a statement. “I’ve seen first-hand the powerful energy he can bring to a room, and I can’t wait to see him bring the same energy to the Council.”
Nixon said that Bagga has the experience needed to achieve climate justice for frontline communities, dismantle and reimagine policing, and create a truly equitable public school system.
“I couldn’t be more excited to endorse him,” she said.
Bagga also earned the backing of two labor unions on Monday — Local 802 – American Federation of Musicians and the Professional Staff Congress of CUNY (PSC-CUNY).
Along with the recent endorsements — Bagga told the Queens Post his experience in city government and track record of crafting successful policies sets him apart from the other candidates vying for the council seat.
Bagga has worked in City Hall as deputy commissioner both at the NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protection and at the Department of Social Services.
He most recently spearheaded the city’s Census outreach program in which he and colleagues created a network of 157 community-based groups that explained the importance of completing the Census to neighbors in their spoken language.
A June primary and November general election this year will determine who will represent the district for a four-year term beginning in 2022.
Other candidates include Jonathan Bailey, Tavo Bortoli, Lorenzo Brea, Giselle Burgess, Julia Forman, Glennis Gomez, Marvin Jeffcoat, Denise Keehan-Smith, Badrun Khan, Heajin Kim, Jesse Laymon, Sultan Maruf, Brent O’Leary, Emily Sharpe, Julie Won, Ebony Young, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Jeffcoat is the lone Republican candidate in the race thus far.
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