Dermot Smyth — Challenger

Opponent: Jonathan Rinaldi, Republican

Dermot Smyth has been a Queens resident for more than thirty years and raised his two children there. The son of Irish immigrants, Smyth has an extensive background in education, first as a middle school teacher and as the Queens Political Action Coordinator at United Federation of Teachers, a position he has held for fifteen years. 

Smyth would bring his experience working with politicians and city agencies to the City Council, with the goals of improving curriculum standards, strengthening teacher training, and the use of technology in schools. 

Other priorities include combating public safety crimes such as reckless driving that have gone unprosecuted, improving housing affordability, and supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses in his district. 

A former janitor, Smyth hopes to address the affordability crisis and ensure blue collar working class families can stay in the neighborhoods they were brought up in. 

Endorsements:  Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Rep. Tom Suozzi and Assembly Members Andrew Hevesi, Alycia Hyndman, and Micah Lasher