By Jyoti Thottam
Ending months of speculation about his political ambitions, City Councilman Walter McCaffrey (D-Woodside) announced this week he would try to unseat incumbent Queens Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) in this year's primary election.
“This year Democratic voters will have a real choice,” McCaffrey said Monday. He has represented Woodside, Sunnyside and parts of Long Island City on the City Council since 1986.
The councilman, a stalwart in Queens Democratic politics, has openly criticized the way in which Crowley received the Democratic nomination for Congress in July 1998, when Queens Democratic boss Thomas Manton gave up the seat. In a widely criticized maneuver, Manton announced his retirement from Congress and named Crowley the party's nominee minutes before the deadline for nominations expired.
McCaffrey, Councilman John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights) and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Ridgewood) had hoped to be considered for the nomination in 1998, and began considering a primary challenge for 2000. Term limits will end McCaffrey and Sabini's City Council careers next year, but Nolan may seek re-election to the statehouse.
“I have known Walter McCaffrey for almost 20 years,” Nolan said. “His integrity and intelligence are first class and I feel confident that he will be a first-rate congressman.”
Crowley said McCaffrey's candidacy “comes as no surprise,” according to a statement released Monday.
“The election is still many months away,” Crowley said. “I intend to continue my fight in Washington and in New York to strengthen Social Security, pass prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients and improve the quality of life for working families in Queens and the Bronx.”
Crowley's 7th Congressional District extends from Long Island City and Ridgewood through Jackson Heights, Corona and parts of the Bronx. It includes more than 500,000 people.
McCaffrey said he plans to focus on senior issues, health care, abortion rights, crime prevention, teacher pay and tougher civil rights protections if elected. He named as his accomplishments in the City Council the elimination of sex shops from residential neighborhoods, ATM anti-crime laws, tougher fire safety laws, programs to combat elder abuse, help for new immigrants and programs to reduce suicides among police officers.
McCaffrey had been mentioned as a possible contender for the borough president's post, but he terminated his New York City campaign committee last July. At that time, the committee had raised $211,320 and spent $100,499, according to the New York City Board of Elections. McCaffrey filed papers with the Federal Election Commission this week.
Crowley had $310,144 in cash on hand this week for his re-election campaign, according to the most recent available information from the Center for Responsive Politics.
