Democratic Candidate Crystal Hudson, co-director of outreach for the City Council, is running for Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo's seat. If elected, Hudson would be the first openly gay Black woman elected to City Council, Kings County Politics reports.
Hudson is campaigning for term-limited Cumbo's seat, which covers Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy. Hudson, who said her commitment to public service came with her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2013, wants to address housing issues, COVID-19 recovery, land use, transportation, education and community safety.
"I felt like I wanted to do something more meaningful, and that's giving back to the community; working for the community that has given so much to my family," Hudson said.
As her mother's primary caregiver, Hudson learned how difficult it was for working families to navigate systems and access adequate resources. As a result, she became a fierce advocate for seniors' rights.
"The piece that's really central to my campaign is thinking about our whole trajectory through life," she said.
"Ensuring that children have access to quality education, that workers have access to good jobs and wages and benefits and that when we're older we have safe and secure housing," Hudson said, adding people should be able to age gracefully their own homes without fear of displacement.
During COVID-19, Hudson did everything she could to keep her mother and other seniors safe. She constantly checked on neighbors before creating the Greater Prospect Heights Mutual Aid.
Hudson said she supports reallocating police funds to social services, hospitals, youth employment and models proven to protect the community. In regards to reopening schools, Hudson said unions had done a good job advocating for both teacher's and student's safety above all else. Her policy platform is available to view here.
Hudson said the story of New Yorkers was one of perseverance and loyalty to the "home team."
"During difficult times and trying times and unprecedented times, we still root for the home teams. We root for and support one another, and eventually, we'll come out victorious."
