On Tuesday, May 6th, Andrew Cuomo received a significant boost to his mayoral campaign as 27 Tenant Association presidents from the five boroughs endorsed his candidacy. The endorsement came after Cuomo visited the Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens, where he met with local tenants and leaders to discuss ongoing issues with public housing.
During the visit, Cuomo was joined by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Redfern Houses Tenant Association President Kimberly Comes, and Hammel Houses President Lisa Johnson. Together, they engaged with residents about long-standing challenges such as delayed repairs, deteriorating living conditions, and the need for greater accountability from city officials.
The tenant leaders cited Cuomo’s decades-long involvement in housing policy as the basis for their endorsement. His tenure as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President Bill Clinton, along with his housing programs as governor, were highlighted as key achievements.
“Governor Cuomo has been building housing for over 30 years. As HUD Secretary, he fought for public housing across the country, and as governor, he delivered a record investment in addressing our housing needs to ensure our buildings were maintained and repaired. We’ve seen what he can do, and we trust him to fight for us again,” Comes said.
In response, Cuomo expressed his gratitude for the endorsement. “I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the NYCHA Tenant Association,” he said. “As mayor, I will make it my mission to ensure NYCHA residents get the investment they deserve and that the government works for them– a better, fairer New York starts with fixing public housing—and I’m ready to get it done.”
Cuomo’s growing coalition now includes community groups, advocacy organizations, labor unions, and elected officials across the city. The endorsement from tenant leaders adds to this expanding base of support.
Here is the list of Tenant Association Presidents:
Bronx
- Emily Bautista, Randall Avenue-Balcom Avenue
- Lehra Brooks, Throggs Neck Houses
- Miriam Sanchez, Monroe Houses
- Jeannette Salcedo, Castle Hill Houses
Brooklyn
- Larry Barton, Vandalia Houses
- Reginald Bowman, Seth Low Houses
- Naomi Colon, Marcy Houses
- Adorn DuBose, Sumner Houses
- Lucas Greer, Williamsburg Houses
- Barry Long, Tompkins Houses
- Alexis Rice – Marcus Garvey Houses
- Eloisa “Panama” Rowe, Borinquen Plaza Houses
- Arthur Warren, Long Island Baptist Houses
- Shirley Williams, Brevoort Houses
- Miriam Robertson, Glenmore Plaza Houses
Manhattan
- William Betancourt, Gaylord White Houses
- Thomas Fredrick, Johnson Houses
- Latisa Gilmore, Drew-Hamilton Houses
- Nathaniel Green, Dyckman Houses
Queens
- Lisa Johnson, Hammel Houses
- Kimberly Comes, Redfern Houses
- Visol Smith, Ocean Bay Apartments
- Tamika Williams-Moore, Pomonok Houses
- Margarieth Massac, Oceanside Housing
Staten Island
- Clifton Creque, Berry Houses
- Rashida Reid, South Beach Houses
- Tina Watson, New Lane Area
