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Sen. Ramos Backs Constantinides for Queens Borough President; Miranda Back in the Race

Councilmember Costa Constantinides in 2018 while endorsing Jessica Ramos during her successful state senate run (Ramos)

Feb. 3, 2020 By Allie Griffin

State Senator Jessica Ramos endorsed Council Member Costa Constantinides for Queens Borough President today, while retired NYPD sergeant Anthony Miranda confirmed he is back in the race.

Miranda was knocked off the ballot by Board of Election commissioners last week for a technical error on his paperwork. Yesterday, he announced that he is back on the ballot as of today after taking the matter to court.

“I’m so happy to report that on Monday, February 3, Anthony Miranda will be back on the ballot as a candidate for Queens Borough President, despite the efforts of the Queens Machine to disenfranchise and discriminate against all our voting community,” Miranda said in a video posted to twitter.

Meanwhile, Constantinides, who is running on a largely environmental platform, announced that Ramos has endorsed him for the March 24 special election. He was the first elected official to endorse Ramos in 2018– in her successful state senate run.

The two lawmakers have worked together for many years, well before either was elected to public office. They both played a role in expanding the Queens County Young Democrats into one of the state’s largest, most active chapters.

The pair have continued their decade-long partnership, as they represent overlapping sections of Astoria and Woodside. They most recently held a joint protest outside Amazon’s Woodside warehouse where they both claimed that the corporate giant mistreats its workers.

“Costa and I have envisioned the future of Queens together since we were young — one with good jobs, affordable housing, and clean air,” Sen. Ramos said. “Costa is thoughtful, dependable, and creative. He’s the partner we need as Borough President.”

Ramos has earned recognition as a progressive leader in Queens and Constantinides said he is thrilled to have her endorsement.

“Whether it was passing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in Albany or fighting to protect Amazon warehouse workers from exploitation here in Queens, she has been the force of change New York needs,” he said. “I’m so excited to have her in our corner as we fight for a stronger borough.”

Other candidates in the running for Queens BP include Council Member Donovan Richards, former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, former Queens prosecutor Jim Quinn and Flushing businessman Dao Yin.