Rep. Carolyn Maloney Endorses Ben Kallos for City Council's 5th District

Rep. Carolyn Maloney Endorses Ben Kallos for City Council's 5th District

Manhattan Elected Officials Join Together in Support of Democratic Nominee for CD5 Ben Kallos 

New York, N.Y. – Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12) endorsed Ben Kallos for City Council today as the Fifth Council District Democratic nominee seeking to represent the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. Maloney cited Kallos’ strong commitment to education, affordable housing, gender equality, government transparency and to tackling numerous other neighborhood challenges:

"Ben Kallos has the smarts, skill-set and priorities to be an excellent legislator, and I am proud to endorse him for City Council in Manhattan’s District Five. I look forward to working with him in the weeks, months and years ahead," said Congresswoman Maloney. "I strongly support his focus on community participation, legislative transparency and innovative ideas."

Congresswoman Maloney was joined in her announcement by Upper East Side elected officials including State Senator Liz Krueger, Council member Jessica Lappin, Council member Dan Garodnick and Assembly member Dan Quart.

"Ben Kallos has been a thoughtful advocate for open government and civic engagement, and has a strong record of service both to our East Side communities and all New Yorkers," said Sen. Liz Krueger. "I join my colleague Congresswoman Maloney in enthusiastically supporting Ben as the nominee of our party, and look forward to working with him as our next City Council member."

“Ben's progressive ideas and reform agenda are needed at City Hall.  I am pleased to endorse him for City Council," said Councilwoman Lappin.

"There always has been a strong partnership between the Council members representing the Upper East Side, and I look forward to continuing that with Ben Kallos," said Council member Dan Garodnick.  "Ben has shown himself to be a person with a creative vision, a commitment to good government principles, and he is an excellent fit for the district. I look forward to working with him to deliver for the residents of the 5th District, and I am proud to endorse him."  

“With his commitment to transparency in the legislative process and providing services for those in the community who need them, Ben will make an excellent member of the City Council,” said Assembly member Dan Quart.

“It is a thrill to accept the endorsement of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has done great things for our community over the course of her long and distinguished public service. A tireless advocate for women’s rights, she has been a feminist trailblazer and has a strong record combatting the scourge of human trafficking,” said Kallos.

Former Public Advocate Mark Green and good government activist Bill Samuels, who have worked with Ben and previously endorsed his candidacy also joined the press conference in support. 

Kallos also recently earned the endorsements of other elected officials, including Council member and Democratic nominee for Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and State Senator Jose Serrano: 

"As the City's govrnment undergoes many changes next year, officials with a thorough understanding of technology, as Ben has, will be valuable assets to the City Council. With his web development background and history of open data advocacy, Ben will be a leader in making government more transparent,” said Brewer. 

"Ben Kallos will be a voice for accountable government in the City Council, and I am pleased to support his candidacy. Over the years, we have shared a vision for local government that is open and participatory, including support for reforming the member item system in meaningful ways to help root out corruption while providing more information to constituents,” said Sen. Jose Serrano.

Former Assembly member Jonathan Bing, for whom Kallos served as Chief of Staff from December 2007-February 2009 also enthusiastically endorsed.

First elected to Congress in 1992, Carolyn B. Maloney is recognized as a national leader with extensive accomplishments on financial services, national security, the economy and women’s issues. She is a senior member of both the House Financial Services Committee (where she serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets) and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the Ranking House member of the Joint Economic Committee. In the House Democratic Caucus, she serves as a Regional Whip. 

Kallos has been the Executive Director of a leading good government group, attorney, Policy Director for Mark Green and the former Chief of Staff for Assembly member Jonathan Bing.  Learn more about his run for City Council District 5 at http://KallosForCouncil.com.

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