Danny O’Donnell Endorses and Gives Advice to Christine Quinn

At press conference today in West Harlem, the first openly gay New York State assemblyman, Danny O’Donnell, endorsed the woman

Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell and Speaker Christine Quinn at today's event.
Danny O’Donnell and Christine Quinn at today’s event.

At press conference today in West Harlem, the first openly gay New York State assemblyman, Danny O’Donnell, endorsed the woman who is vying to be the city’s first openly gay mayor.

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But he had more than his endorsement to offer.

In addition to touting her record and agenda, Mr. O’Donnell handed down some advice–as a fellow LGBT official–for Ms. Quinn if she wins.

“She should remember her record and accomplishments,” he told reporters, noting that part of Ms. Quinn’s edge as a mayoral candidate was that she is an openly gay woman. “The minute you’re perceived as running away from [your sexuality], you’re actually inflaming the other side.”

Mr. O’Donnell added that it has been difficult to elect a woman as mayor of the city but that Ms. Quinn was the best choice. “They’re nice men,” he said of her opponents, “but they don’t have the kind of history and record as she does.”

In a press statement, Mr. O’Donnell also touted Ms. Quinn’s affordable housing plan for 40,000 middle-income apartments, efforts to combat bullying in the city’s schools and her record advocating for LGBT rights as reasons for his endorsement. But at the end of the public event, held in the middle of the 96th Street subway station, it was Ms. Quinn’s broader branding that was most remembered by onlookers.

Anna Julia Nuñez, a 65-year-old native of Dominican-Republic, said that she would vote for the City Council speaker, whose campaign ad on NY1 impressed her. Though Ms. Nuñez said she had considered backing front-running rival Bill de Blasio, seeing Ms. Quinn in person swayed her.

Before leaving the station Ms. Quinn tapped Ms. Nuñez on the shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I like what she says and what she does,” Ms. Nuñez confirmed.

Danny O’Donnell Endorses and Gives Advice to Christine Quinn