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Council Member Constantinides Backs Tiffany Cabán for his Council Seat

Council Member Costa Constantinides endorsed Tiffany Cabán for District 22 Monday (Council Member Costa Constantinides via Twitter)

March 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin

Council Member Costa Constantinides is backing Tiffany Cabán to replace him in the City Council when he leaves office at the end of the year.

Constantinides announced his endorsement of the progressive public defender at a press briefing outside the entrance to the Rikers Island bridge in Astoria Monday.

“I’m proud to endorse @tiffany_caban as my 1st choice for District 22,” he said on Twitter. “Her experience as a public defender inspired her to fight to ensure that equity/environmental justice are within the grasp of all NYers. She will be a fierce advocate for all our communities in western Queens.”

Constantinides, a longtime environmental activist, also cited Cabán’s support of the Green New Deal, which aims to make New York City carbon-neutral by 2030.

He also endorsed Evie Hantzopoulos as his second-choice endorsement to coincide with the city’s new ranked choice voting option that allows voters to number candidates from one to five in order of preference on the ballot.

“Next, @evie4us is my 2nd choice on the ballot,” Constantinides said. “She would bring experience and energy to the Council.”

The council member had previously endorsed his former Chief of Staff Nick Roloson for the District 22 seat, but Roloson dropped out of the race a month after Cabán announced her campaign and endorsed her instead.

Constantinides, who is term-limited, must vacate the seat at the end of the year. Sources close to the councilmember said in January that he might leave office before his term is up.

Cabán is one of five Democrats running for the District 22 seat to represent Astoria, Rikers Island and parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside and East Elmhurst. The other Democrats vying for the seat are Hantzopoulos, Leonardo Bullaro, Catherina Gioino and Nicholas Velkov.

Edwin DeJesus will be in the general election as an independent, while Felicia Kalan will be running as a Republican.

Cabán also received an endorsement from Assembly Member Catalina Cruz last Thursday. She was endorsed last year by State Senators Mike Gianaris and Jessica Ramos, as well as Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.