Ivan Lafayette Endorses Daniel Dromm

Jackson Heights' Revered Fmr Assemblyman Backs Schoolteacher's Challenge to Helen Sears

QUEENS - Democratic City Council Candidate Danny Dromm has received the endorsement of Ivan Lafayette, the beloved elder statesman who represented the Jackson Heights area for over three decades in the New York State Assembly.

"After years of working personally with Danny Dromm, I whole-heartedly endorse his candidacy for City Council," Lafayette said today. "I have seen firsthand Danny's commitment and effectiveness on the issues that matter most to me and to our community: better schools, more access to doctors and health care, and improved quality of life for all of us."

Dromm is challenging incumbent Councilmember Helen Sears, who is running for a third term in the 25th Council seat after voting to extend her own term limits last year. A 25-year Queens public school teacher and bilingual community organizer, Dromm is campaigning to improve local health care and schools after eight years of neglect.

"It's such an honor to receive the backing of a public servant like Mr. Lafayette, who knows better than anyone what it takes to represent this community well," Dromm said in response to the endorsement. "I aim to stand up for our community in City Hall the same way he stood for us in the State Capitol."

During his time in the Assembly, Lafayette held the positions of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Dean of the Queens Delegation. He retired from the office in 2008 after 32 years of distinguished service.