About Erica Manney

Hi! I’m Erica.

I am the Queens County Democratic Committee member in ED/AD 022/25.

Your first question may be … what is Queens County Democratic Committee? There’s a good chance you have never heard of it — I didn’t until a year or so ago.  This is a great link that explains what it is. But the short story is — the Democratic party is governed by committees of citizens who are registered Democrats, from the national level down to state and community-level. County is the most local level of party governance in New York.

Okay, so what are committee members supposed do?

• Choose local judges
• Nominate the Democratic Party’s choice for a special election in state legislature races (This is particularly important because 1 in 3 current legislators were chosen in a special election!)
• Help create the Party platform.
• Organize local Democrats.

But in reality — they haven’t been doing much of this. That’s why I ran. The seats in our electoral district have been vacant for years. As best I can tell, almost a decade. The current Queens Democratic party, now lead by Gregory Meeks, fills these seats with his colleagues, who rubber stamp whatever it is he’s decided. The committee is only required to meet every two years. Along with fellow progressives — we want to change that, and make the Queens Democratic party a party that is truly represented by the people.

You can read the current list of reforms that newly-elected or appointed members have requested of the current administration. (Some press coverage in the Queens Daily Eagle). When you read what we’re proposing, you start getting a really good idea of what’s NOT happening in our democracy.

If you are interested in learning more, joining us to organize or even run for a committee seat, I’ve set up a form you can submit your info here. No obligation – just trying to organize us a bit!

So, who am I, and what do I believe in?

I’m almost a lifelong Queens resident (born in Brooklyn, was a toddler in Long Island), but was raised in Bay Terrace. I went to CUNY Queens College and studied Anthropology, where I met my husband (who now teaches there.). I’ve lived in Rego Park, Kew Gardens Hills, and now we’re raising our daughter and geriatric dog in Oakland Gardens. You’ve likely seen me out playing in our courtyard, or walking to daycare, or to get something to eat.

What do I believe?

I believe that we have an opportunity to make real change, if we organize. I was always somewhat involved in politics, but it wasn’t until I started volunteering in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign in NY-14 that I really understood the power of a movement, and how much progressive Democrats really need to get together and make things happen. There are a tremendous amount of amazing organizers doing the work, and I see this as my part to help. I won’t get a chance to vote or enact on most of the things and policies I believe in as part of the Queens County Committee, but my guiding philosophies are:

• Black Lives Matter
• Pro-Choice / Reproductive Justice
• LGBTQIA+ Rights
• No Human is Illegal
• Science is Real. Climate Change is Real.
• People Deserve a Living Wage
• Injustice Anywhere is a Threat To Justice Everywhere
• Millionaires should pay their fair share
• Corporations are NOT people, and we should get money out of politics

Have more questions? Email me at my firstname.lastname@gmail.com