NYC Councilman Shekar Krishnan endorsed by influential Democrat

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Shekar Krishnan, the first Indian American to be elected to the New York City Council and currently running for re-election from District 25, was endorsed by former Council Member Daniel Dromm, who represented the same District for more than 20 years. Krishnan announced the endorsement March 16, 2023.

District 25 which includes Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens, has possibly the most diverse population in the state if not the nation, and is home to a significant number of South Asian-origin, Hispanic and other communities.

The primaries for the City Council are scheduled for June 27, 2023, and the general election November 7. Currently, Krishnan, the incumbent endorsed by the Working Families Party, has one other declared candidate in the race for District 25, Ricardo Pacheco of the Jackson Heights Coop Alliance.

“I’ve been excited to see Shekar continue to invest in Elmhurst Hospital, our parks, and our communities, while becoming one of the biggest champions for our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, supporting organizations like Drag Story Hour, LGBT Network, and so many others,” Dromm said in a statement shared by Krishnan. “From safe plazas in front of our schools, to celebrating ‘Little Thailand Way,’ he’s already made a huge positive impact,” Dromm added describing Krishnan as “a relentless advocate and ally, and the best representative Jackson Heights and Elmhurst could hope for.”

Krishnan thanked Dromm for his support, mentorship and friendship. “From leading the fight for justice for Julio Rivera, which grew into the LGBTQIA+ movement in Queens, to becoming one of the first openly gay elected officials in our city, Danny Dromm is a pioneer. He’s fought tirelessly for our district and I’m honored to carry on his legacy of fighting for our community,” Krishnan said.

According to his biography on the New York City Council website, Krishnan’s parents hail from Kerala. A civil rights lawyer, Krishnan is a long-time community activist in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. He co-founded the legal services organization Communities Resist, focused on housing and racial justice in North Brooklyn and Queens. Shekar began his legal career with the landmark Broadway Triangle fair housing struggle against the City of New York, a successful case challenging a rezoning under the Fair Housing Act. He also co-founded Friends of Diversity Plaza, a popular location for public events.

In the City Council, Krishnan is Chair of the Council’s Committee On Parks and Recreation. He is also credited with championing numerous causes including taxi workers rights, housing as a human right, conditions on Rikers Island, and making roads and pedestrians safe.

He has two small children and is married to Zoe, an immigration public defender and reproductive justice advocate.