1. What is the most important issue in Manhattan you would address if elected?

We must stop spending time and money on misplaced priorities like the West Side Stadium, and instead focus on real needs like education, health care, affordable housing, mass transit and creating real jobs and opportunities. As a tenant leader, neighborhood leader and City Council leader, I’ve fought to knock down barriers and give every child the same chance to succeed I was given and every parent the same confidence my mother had – that through hard work and opportunity their children can achieve anything.

2. What other important issues would you address if elected?

I am running for Manhattan Borough President to improve our schools, provide accessible healthcare and affordable housing, promote our cultural institutions and continue my lifetime fight to knock down barriers, create opportunities and end discrimination. Our schools are being shortchanged by Albany. I will fight for funding to reduce class sizes, increase after-school programs and provide support for teachers. I will fight against giant projects that threaten neighborhoods and work to strengthen Community Boards, protect landmarks and create affordable housing. I will stand up to Republican assaults on our basic services and fight for better health care, senior services, libraries and cultural institutions. And I will be a strong voice for free speech, human rights and equality.

3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

First, I’ve demonstrated that I can get results – taking on the big landlords to protect our children from the deadly effects of lead in their homes; providing funding to combat HIV/AIDS, infant mortality and asthma; and protecting the civil rights and liberties for all. Second, I have never lost touch with the communities I serve and have a vision for New York’s future. When no one else was talking about rats, I led the fight against the plague of rats on our streets and forced the city to act. Third, I’ve earned the respect of my colleagues and become a leader in the City Council. I understand city issues, been intimately involved in finding solutions and have the respect of my colleagues to get things done. And fourth, our City needs leaders who don’t just talk about issues, but also expend the political capital needed to solve them – and that’s exactly what I’ll do.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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