The Manhattan Times

With one of the schools he helped fund when he was a City Council member in the background, Dr. Guillermo Linares, former New York City Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, officially launched his campaign for the New York State Assembly on Mon., June 7.

During his announcement, Linares, the first Dominican-born candidate ever elected to public office in the United States, received the support of the person he is planning to succeed, Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat of the 72^nd Assembly District, which includes parts of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill.

“This is a tough time in Albany. The economy has soured in recent years and there is a great deal of pressure to resolve New York State’s budget shortfalls by cutting services for the least powerful New Yorkers: children, the elderly, and immigrants,” Linares said in front of I.S. 90/Hermanas Mirabal School at Jumel Place and W. 168^th Street. “I have spent the better part of my life fighting to make sure that New Yorkers have good schools, safe and affordable housing, and that the newest New Yorkers have the tools they need to become productive American citizens. As a member of the New York State Assembly, I will continue to fight for these issues.”

“I am proud to support Guillermo Linares to represent the neighbors that I have represented in the NYS Assembly for the last 14 years. We need someone with a proven record of getting resources for our community... And Guillermo Linares is that person,” Espaillat said during his endorsement.

Linares served in the City Council from 1992 to 2001. He points out to his record of building new schools in Northern Manhattan to alleviate overcrowding and a new police precinct to fight crime as two of his strongest achievements. From 2004 to 2009, Linares served as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, leading the efforts of integration for immigrant New Yorkers and strengthening bridges between city government and immigrant communities.

Linares will most likely face Julissa Gómez, Gabriela Rosa, Miguel Estrella and Nelson Antonio Denis who have also indicated their intentions to succeed Espaillat, who is giving up his seat to run for State Senate.