STATEN ISLAND — A North Shore activist who runs a program to help high school dropouts will challenge Debi Rose for her city council seat.
Kamillah Hanks officially announced her run in the Democratic Primary for the North Shore council seat Friday. Campaign Finance Board records show she's already raised more money than incumbent Rose.
"After careful consideration and an overwhelming amount of support, I am officially announcing my candidacy to be the next council member to represent Staten Island's North Shore," Hanks said in a statement.
"As a community advocate and activist with over a decade of experience, I carry with me a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to be a full-time council member."
Hanks registered an election committee — a group supporting her as a candidate — with the state's Board of Elections last month and submitted her first filing with the Campaign Finance Board this week.
So far, she has raised $27,875 in campaign funds, more than the $20,306 raised by Rose in the same time.
Aside from Hanks and Rose, 26-year-old Stapleton resident Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius also filed campaign paperwork with the BOE for a potential primary run, the Staten Island Advance reported.
Apostol-Marius, who works as a legislative assistant for Sate Sen. Bill Perkins, has not filed with the Campaign Finance Board yet.
Hanks, who lives in Stapleton, is the president and CEO of Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership which aims to promote economic and real estate in the neighborhood and also hosts arts and community programs in the park.
She also runs B.U.I.L.D Staten Island Youth Program which helps low-income youths get a high school diploma and job training. She was was appointed to the Panel for Education Policy by Borough President James Oddo in 2014.
Hanks will face off in a primary against Rose who was first elected to the council in 2009 and won re-election in 2013.
So far, no Republicans have filed to run for the seat.
