Rep. Gregory Meeks was unanimously elected Monday morning the new chair of the Queens County Democratic Party.



Meeks, who was elected during a meeting of district leaders in Forest Hills, has been in Congress since 1998, representing several neighborhoods, including Jamaica, Queens Village, and the Rockaways.

His election comes after the resignation of former Rep. Joe Crowley, who held the position for more than a dozen years. Crowley stepped down last month after taking a job as a lobbyist.

Last year, Crowley lost his seat in Congress to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He was considered to be on the shortlist to become the next House Speaker.

As county leader, Meeks will have a role in picking some judges and political candidates and shaping the agenda for the Democratic Party in Queens.

------

Looking for an easy way to learn about the issues affecting New York City?

Listen to our "Off Topic/On Politics" podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | RSS