QUEENS — Adrienne Adams, chairwoman of Community Board 12, has announced her candidacy for the 28th Council District, the seat vacated after Ruben Wills was found guilty on corruption charges last week.
Adams has already been backed by U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, who serves as the Queens County Democratic Party chairman.
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, who represents a large swath of southeastern Queens, also expressed his support.
"Community and service are not empty words, but are the principles that have guided my life," Adams said in a statement, adding that her goal is “to improve the economic opportunity, transportation options, and overall quality of life in Rochdale, Jamaica, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park."
Adams, who lives in Jamaica, has served as Chairwoman of CB 12 since 2012. In 2015, she was appointed to the Jamaica Now Leadership Council, a group created to oversee the implementation of the Jamaica Now Action Plan, an initiative to promote economic development in the neighborhood.
Adams, who currently works as an educator and corporate training professional, once served a member of the Queens Library's Board of Trustees.
Last year, she ran against state Sen. James Sanders Jr. in the 10th Senate Democratic primary when he announced his plan to challenge Meeks. Sanders eventually dropped the bid and defeated Adams despite her winning the party’s endorsement.
"Adrienne Adams has proven time and again that she knows what this community needs and how to build the coalitions necessary to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Crowley in a statement.
The Democratic primary will be held on Sept. 12.
Other candidates running for the seat include Anthony Andrews Jr. of York College, Richard David, former councilman Allan Jennings, Ivan Mossop, Queens lawyer Hettie Powell and Jahi Rose, who worked as constituent affairs director for Wills, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board's website.
