Menchaca sets out progressive vision for Red Hook, Sunset Park
Candidate beat incumbent Sara Gonzalez for council seat
Mother Nature pushed Carlos Menchaca into politics. “I ran for public office because of Hurricane Sandy,” he said.
In the wake of his stunning victory over longtime Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez in the Democratic Primary in the 38th Council District, Menchaca, 33, spoke to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle about his plans for the Sunset Park-Red Hook district and how he came to run for public office.
Menchaca, who is openly gay, is a former community liaison on LGBT issues for Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and has also previously worked for Borough President Marty Markowitz. The council campaign marked his first time running for public office. If he wins the general election in November over Conservative Henry LaValle, he will become the first Mexican-American ever to serve in the council.