Jimmy Van Bramer, a dedicated Democrat, served as the New York City Council member for the 26th District from 2010 to 2021. A strong advocate for marginalized communities, he gained a reputation as a vocal and active representative of the people. Learn more about his career and achievements on queensyes.com.
Early Life
Born on August 19, 1969, in Queens, Jimmy Van Bramer grew up in a working-class household. His father was a member of the Printers’ and Pressman’s Union Local 2, while his mother, also a union member, worked various jobs to support the family. Their dedication to labor rights and community advocacy inspired Van Bramer to fight for workers’ rights, equality, and improved living conditions in Queens. He attended St. John’s University, where he developed a deep commitment to social justice and public service.
For over a decade, Van Bramer worked as Chief External Affairs Officer at Queens Public Library, one of the largest public library systems in the world. With 62 branches, the library serves the diverse communities of Queens, providing resources in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. In this role, Van Bramer was responsible for bridging communication between the community and government agencies.
Political Career
From January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021, Jimmy Van Bramer represented the 26th District in the New York City Council, covering Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside. Throughout his tenure, he chaired the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Relations. His leadership helped increase funding for cultural organizations and public libraries. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Majority Leader of the Council, acting as the main representative of his party.
Van Bramer traveled to Israel twice, in 2010 and 2015, on trips sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York. He emphasized the importance of Middle East peace and Israeli stability as key global concerns. In 2016, he co-sponsored a resolution condemning efforts to delegitimize Israel and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. As a supporter of Jewish history and culture, he advocated for funding institutions like the Museum of Jewish Heritage and collaborated with his colleagues to ensure financial support for Jewish cultural organizations.
As a founding member of the New York City Council Progressive Caucus, Van Bramer aligned himself with progressive causes. He endorsed actress Cynthia Nixon’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign and backed Tiffany Cabán’s bid for Queens District Attorney in 2019. Cabán championed criminal justice reform, including ending mass incarceration and decriminalizing sex work and drug offenses. Despite widespread progressive support, including an endorsement from The New York Times, Cabán narrowly lost the election to Melinda Katz.
In 2020, Van Bramer ran for Queens Borough President in a special election following Melinda Katz’s departure from the position. However, he later suspended his campaign to care for his mother, who was suffering from dementia.
Personal Life
In 2012, Jimmy Van Bramer married his longtime partner, Dan Hendrick. As an openly LGBTQ+ elected official, he has been a staunch advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Throughout his life, Van Bramer has fought against discrimination and homophobia. While attending St. John’s University in 1992, he founded the school’s first LGBTQ+ student organization. He also worked as a journalist for what is now Gay City News, covering the AIDS epidemic and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals.
New York City is home to one of the most diverse populations in the United States, making the fight for equality particularly relevant. The city enforces some of the strongest human rights protections in the country, including the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in its human rights laws since 2002. Van Bramer remains one of the many public officials dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of identity, can live free from discrimination. As a symbol of diversity and freedom, New York City serves as a model for municipalities worldwide.