The office of Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar was vandalized in her district earlier this week.
“I can’t speak to anyone’s motivations, but I will say that there is a high incidence of women being targeted. I’m the only woman in this citywide race.”
Police said between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, an unknown person threw a rock through the front window of Rajkumar’s office in Woodhaven. No items were taken and the NYPD has made no arrests in the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
“In the dead of night, someone smashed my office door, completely focusing on my image. My desk drawers were also found open.”
The criminal act comes as Rajkumar looks to raise her profile, running for city comptroller.
She, along with a handful of other officials, is running for the seat Brad Lander currently occupies, as he runs for mayor. Rajkumar, however, is the only woman so far in the competitive primary.
“Nothing can stop me, and my campaign is for all the women of New York City. I see all the women of this city and I support their potential and their leadership,” Rajkumar said. “Public service is my passion and nothing can stop me. I think of JFK, who famously said the life of service is a constant test of your will. So every day I put it all on the line to serve the people of New York City.”
Other candidates vying for comptroller include State Sen. Kevin Parker, who on Thursday filed to raise funds for the seat. This is a second run for the Brooklyn state senator who ran for the same seat in 2021, coming in sixth place.
Aside from political competition, Parker is facing some personal legal troubles.
Last November, Parker was hit with a lawsuit accusing him of rape in 2004. The Brooklyn woman said the alleged sexual assault happened when she was working with the senator on relief efforts for Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating flood.
NY1 reached out to Parker for comment, but he did not respond. Parker previously called the rape accusation “absolutely untrue.”
Parker was initially considering running for Brooklyn Borough President, as first reported by Politico New York in August.
Rajkumar commented on Parker’s entrance to the race.
“The comptroller’s race has never been so hot and I’m very happy for that. And I think everyone has the right to run,” she said.