The race for Rep. Gary Ackermans' Congressional seat is on: While Assemblyman Rory Lancman has been public about his interest in running, Queens Democrats have tapped Assemblywoman Grace Meng as their candidate. The redrawn Congressional district—the 6th—would be 37-40% Asian.
As Capital New York notes, "If elected, Meng, a trained lawyer and mother of two children, would be the first Asian-American elected to Congress from New York. The history-making potential of her candidacy has been a key part of her public profile. Her official biography says she "is proud to have been elected to the New York State Assembly on the same historic day as President Barack Obama."
On Friday, Meng posted on her Facebook page, "Long before it was popular or easier to have meaningful relationships in the Asian-American community, Congressman Ackerman was hard at work making himself helpful there. This new congressional district is heavily Asian, and I will be sitting down with our Queens Democratic Organization Chairman, Congressman Joseph Crowley, our community leaders and activists to discuss how the coming months may shape out," and on Saturday, "Did you know only 16% of Congress are women?" with a link to this NY1 story. Someone commented, "Maybe you can make it 17."
Lancman himself Tweeted, "Congrats to my friend Grace, looking forward to a spirited campaign on the issues."
