Queensborough President Donovan Richards has endorsed Robert Zimmerman, the longtime Democratic National Committee member, in his bid to capture the party’s nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, the campaign announced.

“Robert Zimmerman will serve the Borough of Queens with passion and dedication. He is a strong leader who we can count on to deliver results for our neighborhoods and enhance our quality of life by standing up for public safety, organized labor, and the unacceptable airplane noise in our communities,” Richards said in a statement. “At this very critical time, we need Robert Zimmerman in Congress to make sure infrastructure dollars come back to Queens to meet our sustainability goals for a cleaner environment. I am proud to endorse Robert’s candidacy. He will be a true champion for the Borough of Queens in the Halls of Congress.”

Richards, 39, has been in his current position since 2020. Previously, he was a New York City councilmember for seven years. 

Zimmerman, 67, is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he began 33 years ago with Ron Edelson.

He is seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who is running for governor.

If elected, Zimmerman would become the first announced gay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens.

Since his announcement this year, Zimmerman’s campaign has raised over $900,000.

Other endorsements for Zimmerman’s campaign include former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Assemblyman Charles Lavine and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Others running for the Democratic nomination in the district include former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington and Oyster Bay’s Reema Rasool.

New district maps were submitted recently by a court-appointed “special master” and have been viewed as more neutral compared to ones that were rejected by a state appeals court several weeks ago. 

While the 3rd District under the new proposal doesn’t extend as far West into the Bronx and Westchester counties, it does stretch to more southern parts of Nassau County such as Hicksville and Massapequa. The new lines do exclude the parts of the district that stretch into Suffolk County, mainly Huntington and Smithtown.

George Santos is seeking the Republican nomination.