The gathering included family, friends and a wide array of political and community leaders from throughout Queens among them Assembly Member Mike Gianaris, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, former Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr., State Senator George Onorato, State Senator Jose Peralta, Council Member Peter Vallone Jr., and Council Member James Van Bramer.

Aravella formally launched her campaign telling the excited crowd that she is ready to go to Albany and stand up for the working men and women of Astoria. She also spoke about the need for expanded health care services and the need to ensure that our public schools get the money they deserve. “I am so proud to stand here today in front of so many of my neighbors, friends and colleagues as we continue the fight to make sure that the working men and women of Astoria have another great ally in Albany,” she stated. “I will fight to make sure every resident has access to health care services and that our schools are properly funded and I will make sure that Con Edison and the other polluters are held responsible for the damage they have caused.”

“I know what it takes to represent this community in Albany and Aravella has what it takes. Aravella has the strength to fight back against powerful interests like Con Edison,” stated Assembly Member Mike Gianaris who will run for State Senator.

“Aravella grew up in this community and she knows what it needs. She will make sure that we get our fair share of resources and funding from Albany,” said Council Member Peter F. Vallone. “We need a strong fighter and Aravella will be that fighter.”

Aravella Simotas is a practicing attorney with a deep rooted commitment to her community and public service. A lifelong resident of Astoria, Queens, she is a long time member of Community Board 1, and currently sits on committees addressing Zoning and Variance; Industrial, Commercial, Cable T.V. and Communications; Parks and Recreation, Cultural Services, OTB; and Legal, Legislation and Parliamentary Procedures. Aravella also serves on the boards of the United Community Civic Association and the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund. If elected she would be the first Greek-American woman elected in any New York office.