Former UES Council Member Endorses Two Candidates in District 5 Primary

Former City Council Member Jessica Lappin announced Wednesday she is endorsing two candidates in the race to determine who will fill her old seat on the Upper East Side.

In a ranked endorsement, Lappin, who represented District 5 from 2006 to 2014, has picked Kim Moscaritolo and Tricia Shimamura as her first- and second-choice candidates, respectively, in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Lappin said both women have demonstrated a dedication to serving the district, which encompasses Yorkville, Lenox Hill and Carnegie Hill on the Upper East Side; Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, and El Barrio in East Harlem.

“At this crucial time in our city’s history, it’s important that we have a Council Member who has shown a strong commitment to this district, and who has the passion and experience to lead as we recover from this pandemic,” said Lappin, who now serves as the president of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Kim Moscaritolo as my first choice, and Tricia Shimamura as my second choice, for City Council in District 5.”

Lappin said she is encouraging voters to rank Moscaritolo No. 1 on their ballots after witnessing the candidate take on various leadership roles in the neighborhood, and subsequently find success in those roles.

“Having worked with Kim since her time as President of the Manhattan Young Democrats, I have seen her commitment to this district, and her passion for public service,” said Lappin, also citing Moscaritolo’s work to curb gun violence as the legislative committee chair for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and to support small businesses by founding Yorkville Buy Local. “As Democratic District Leader, she has fought for transparency and accountability in local politics, and I know she’ll bring that same fight to the City Council.”

Similarly, Lappin praised Shimamura’s drive to secure a better life for working families in the district.

“From her time working as Deputy Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, to her work fighting for the East River Esplanade, to her bold, principled leadership on issues like maternal mortality and universal childcare, I’ve seen Tricia fight tirelessly for this community,” said Lappin. “As a social worker, a dedicated community advocate, and a working mom, I know Tricia will fight - and deliver - for our working families.”

Both candidates thanked Lappin for her support in the competitive race.

Among the seven total candidates, Moscaritolo and Shimamura have garnered the most support from elected officials on the UES. In March, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and state Sen. Liz Krueger endorsed the two women as their top choices to succeed Council Member Ben Kallos when his term ends later this year. Additionally, Shimamura has the support of her former boss, Rep. Carolyn Maloney. The support from these electeds could prove influential when voters head to the polls on June 22.

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