Education: Masconomet High School
Corey Johnson is a LGBT activist and marketing professional. Johnson moved to Chelsea 12 years ago, following a New York Times article detailing his uplifting “coming-out” story in a small town in Massachusetts in which he was the captain of his high school football team. He quickly became active in local politics; he has been on Manhattan Community Board 4 for eight years, serving as co-chair for the past two. Johnson is also involved with a number of community organizations, namely the Hudson Yards Development Corporation, Moynihan Station Community Advisory Committee, and the Council of Chelsea Block Associations. Johnson is concerned with keeping his district affordable for residents. Johnson will pursue a greater amount of affordable housing, as well as fight for a higher living wage standard in the city. Johnson’s positions on affordability displayed an impressive degree of awareness about not simply district issues, but also those facing the entire city. Johnson was enthusiastic about all of Citizens Unions reform positions, in particular rules reform in the City Council. Given his record of successful civic engagement, familiarity with City Council functions, and support for reform, Citizens Union prefers Corey Johnson.
Yetta Kurland – Dem
Candidate Questionnaire
Age: 45
Occupation: Attorney, Kurland Group
Education: Women’s Studies, SUNY-Buffalo (BA), US-Asian Studies, SUNY Buffalo (MA), Brooklyn Law (JD)
Campaign Website
Campaign Finance Filings
Yetta Kurland has been serving her community as a civil liberties attorney at her private practice, the Kurland Group. Through her firm, Kurland has represented numerous members and groups from the LGBT community over the past decade. In addition, Kurland is an Executive Committee member of the National Lawyers Guild. She has been a vocal supporter for the creation of a hospital to replace St. Vincent’s Hospital, working with the Coalition for a New Village Hospital. Kurland supports all of Citizens Union’s policies on Council reform, and had strong philosophical support for our issues where she was less familiar with details. If elected, Kurland would undoubtedly be a strong advocate for her district, yet she lacked the larger vision for New York City that her opponent displayed. Citizens Union believes that Yetta Kurland is a dedicated civic leader, and believes she will one day win election to office.