United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew on Wednesday announced that Queens Borough President Melinda Katz “has been a strong voice for public schools, their students and their families,” and therefore “we are proud to support her candidacy for Queens District Attorney.”
The Democratic party’s June 25 primary race to replace Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who died on May 4, is attracting much attention and a lot of money. Katz, who has served as borough president since January 2014, is sitting on the biggest war chest, according to NY1: $560,151. But Katz, whose donations reportedly come from big donors, is threatened by a come-from-behind Latina and gay candidate, Tiffany Cabán, whose $256,673 in donations have come from many nickel and dime supporters.
Still, the Stonewall Democratic Club, the city’s largest LGBTQ political lobby, is backing Katz, which should count for something.
But the gay community is split: Anise Parker, president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, has endorsed Cabán, with the somewhat unfortunate statement: “When she wins, Tiffany will become the first openly LGBTQ district attorney in New York City, and will help transform the lives of millions of Queens residents.”
What if they don’t want to be transformed?
Melinda Katz, 54, appears to be the only Jewish candidate for Queens DA. Ten years ago, Katz ran for Congress in a primary against Anthony Weiner, Noach Dear, and Daniel Feldman. The times they are a changin’.
She came in third.
Melinda Katz grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, her father, the late David Katz, was founder of the Queens Symphony Orchestra, and her mother, the late Jeanne Dale Katz, founded the Queens Council on the Arts.
Katz has two children from Guardian Angels’ founder Curtis Sliwa, from whom she separated in 2014 – reportedly on election day. Their children were reportedly conceived in-vitro after the separation. Katz now lives with her children in Forest Hills.