Curtis Turney-Rentas Announces Bid for NYS Dist. 31 Committee

By Kami-Leigh Agard

New light…new leadership for Rockaway’s east end. Far Rock native, Curtis Turney-Rentas, has thrown his hat in the ring for Democrat NYS Committee Member for District 31. The longtime community organizer officially announced his candidacy this past Tuesday, February 24, with the full endorsement of District 31 NYS Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson, who for the past five years simultaneously served as the district’s committee member. As Anderson stated in an interview with The Rockaway Times: “Curtis represents a new generation of leadership and a new hope. I couldn’t be prouder to support him.”

The son of a Panamanian father, also named, Curtis Turney-Rentas, and Puerto Rican mother, Milgaros Rentas-Colon, the Far Rock homegrown community organizer is a first-generation American. As he stated in a December 2025 interview with online blog, “Canvas Rebel”: “My story starts where hope and hustle live side by side in Far Rockaway, Queens. A community that taught me resilience before I even knew what the word meant.”

Turney-Rentas is an alumnus of local schools, P.S./M.S. 43-The School By The Sea, and Frederick Douglas Academy VI H.S. on the Far Rockaway Educational Campus. He then attended Delaware State University (DSU), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. However, Turney-Rentas, the ever-loyal prodigal son, determinedly left Delaware and returned to his Far Rockaway roots, hitting the ground running. Why? According to him, to serve his community.

He said, “DSU didn’t just educate me, it gave me a mission. I had this overwhelming sense that my purpose was tied to the neighborhood that shaped me. I didn’t have an entire business model at first. What I had was a feeling, I wanted to bring people together, reconnect generations, restore trust, and show young people that excellence exists right where they stand.”

Since the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother returned to his hometown, he founded the Far Rock Greek Council Inc., Rock The Block Foundation, and presently serves as the director of The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center. Plus, he runs graphic design company, CT3Designs. Through all of his endeavors, for Turney-Rentas—it’s been all about community first. Running for NYS Assembly District 31 community member position is the icing on the cake.

“This was the perfect opportunity for me to step up, especially with everything that our Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson has done, paving the way for essentially the next generation of leaders to come up and create some change within the peninsula. I’m grateful that he saw it within himself to support other young leaders like myself to step up. This is why with Assemblymember Anderson’s support, I decided to take the opportunity to throw my name in the ring,” Turney-Rentas said.

Anderson said, “After five plus years serving the district as NYS Committee Person, I’m honored to be leaving that role in the hands of Curtis Turney-Rentas, a community leader who understands the importance of centering our neighbors and making sure that our state Democratic party’s agenda reflects the needs of average, working-class New Yorkers and people across the Rockaway peninsula.

“I believe he will provide a fresh vision for our state party and use this leadership role to help involve people who are disaffected by politics and encourage them to get engaged. I couldn’t be prouder to support him.”

Anderson also emphasized that Turney-Rentas scoring the seat as District 31’s committee member would mark the first time in decades that both state committee persons for District 31’s district are individuals who reside on the peninsula.

Anderson added, “Curtis has served the community when no one is looking or paying attention. He is a leader who always shows up in moments of crisis.”

So, what is the role of an elected NYS Committee Member? Assemblymember Anderson broke it down. Like a district leader, committee members have one female and one male elected to represent the district. However, here’s the distinction.

Anderson said, “The state party focuses on resolutions, and shapes the party’s agenda and policy in the direction that the party is going on a state level. They do voter engagement, outreach, just like a district leader, but they cover more surface area. For an analogy, look at the district leader as the city council, and the assembly committee member as the state assembly.”

To get on the ballot, Turney-Rentas needs 1,500 signatures. However, the Far Rock homegrown boy knows his bid for NYS District 31 elected Community Member came from not on the ground, but above.

“I feel that this is a natural progression for me. With this campaign, the work I’ve done in the community is going to show. I’m excited because I have that community mindset first. When we’re talking about nonprofit leadership, community activism—it’s something that I hold near and dear to me. So, I’m looking forward to putting in a lot of the work that I have done, the knowledge, and also the progress and process.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to instill hope in the younger generation to follow in my footsteps and take where I left off and ascend on their own. Since I made the announcement today about my candidacy for District 31 Community Member seat, I’ve received unwavering support and great feedback. I’m just looking forward to pouring back into our younger generation and opening doors for them to come through and also take part in what’s happening because they are the future. This is what I’m most excited about and also excited to do with this position,” Turney-Rentas said.

For more info on how to sign Curtis Turney-Rentas’ election petition to get on the ballot for NYS District 31 Committee Member and to donate towards his campaign, email: curtisforstatecommittee@gmail.com. Also, follow on Instagram: curtisforstatecommittee

This Friday, February 27, 6 p.m. at The Bay School (420 Beach 51st Street),​ folks can support Curtis Turney-Rentas at his official campaign announcement at District 31 Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson’s State of the District Address.