Quantcast

Ulrich Wins, Huntley Out In Primaries

Also: Miller, Stavisky Defeat Challengers

Incredibly low turnout was reported at the polls during local statewide primary elections last Thursday, Sept. 13, in which one incumbent lawmaker was defeated and several others turned back challengers.

State Sen. Shirley Huntley, who was recently arrested for allegedly funneling state funds to relatives through a non-profit group, lost the Democratic nomination for the 10th State Senate District seat to City Council Member James Sanders. With all of the precinct’s reporting, Sanders garnered 57 percent of the vote (4,979) to Huntley’s 40 percent (3,477). Real estate professional Gian Jones finished third with three percent (263).

Sanders is expected to win the November general election to represent the realigned 10th Senate District, which includes parts of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, southeastern Queens and the eastern Rockaways.

In another primary contest for a state senate seat, City Council Member Eric Ulrich picked up both the Republican and Independence party nominations for the 15th State Senate District seat in last Thursday’s primary.

Ulrich, who was supported by the state Republican party, took 70 percent of the vote (2,783), while the Queens GOP’s candidate of choice, Forest Hills attorney Juan Reyes, managed 30 percent (1,217).

Only 98 votes were cast in the Independence Party primary for the 15th Senate District nomination, and Ulrich won 82 of them. His lone challenger, Joseph Tiraco of Rego Park, received the remaining 16 votes.

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, the nominee of the Democratic and Working Families party nominee, will face Ulrich (who will also carry the Conservative Party line) for the 15th Senate District, which covers parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the western Rockaways.

Turning to the new 16th State Senate District seat, State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky defeated businessman John Messer to win the Democratic Party nomination. Stavisky secured 58 percent of the vote (4,940), while Messer gained 42 percent.

She will face the Republican nominee, attorney Jung Dong Kim, in November for the right to represent the 16th Senate District, which straddles parts of numerous central Queens neighborhoods including Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park and Woodside.

Assemblyman Mike Miller was also victorious last Thursday night as he turned back the challenge of community activist Etienne David Adorno for the Democratic nomination for the 38th Assembly District seat. Miller garnered 71 percent of the vote (1,441) while Adorno grabbed 29 percent (580).

With no Republican challenger on the ballot in November, Miller will retain the 38th Assembly District seat, which includes areas of Ridgewood, Glendale, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and Woodhaven.

Two other incumbents who were renominated by the Democratic party included Assemblyman Rafael Espinal in the 54th Assembly District (parts of Cypress Hills, East New York and Bushwick), who defeated Juan Rodriguez; and State Sen. Martin Malavé Dilan, who survived a challenge by attorney Jason Otaño for the new 18th State Senate District, which includes areas of Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Cypress Hills, East Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

Last Thursday’s primary was the third vote held throughout New York State this year. In April, Republicans went to the polls for their party’s presidential nomination race. Both the Democratic and Republican parties selected their candidates for Congressional seats in a June primary.

Voters will once again head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, for the general election to select their next president, senator, members of Congress and members of the state legislature. There is still time for anyone who hasn’t registered to vote to do so in order to participate in this year’s election; registration is open until Oct. 12.

For more information on voting or to receive a registration form, visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us or call 1-212-VOTE-NYC.