Ognibene, who had not declared his candidacy for the top slot in the…
By Jennifer Warren
Councilman Tom Ognibene (R-Middle Village), who had been considering running for mayor, has been cleared for a Court of Claims judgeship by a state committee, his chief of staff said.
Ognibene, who had not declared his candidacy for the top slot in the city, appeared to drop any plans he had for running after meeting with Michael Bloomberg, the self-made media billionaire expected to be the party choice on the GOP mayoral ticket.
The councilman, who must give up his seat Jan. 1 because of term limits, still awaits a nod from the governor and approval from the state Senate to move to the bench. But if Ognibene vacates his seat before June 11, it could prompt a special election for his post — an election that has some Democratic contenders concerned.
“If they actually do go to a special election, I feel that they’re putting an advantage to the Republican,” said Robert Cermeli, a Democratic candidate for the 30th Council District.
Cermeli fears that a special election, which is held without party affiliation, would split the Democratic vote four ways and usher in the sole Republican.
Dennis Gallagher, Ognibene’s chief of staff and the only Republican in the running for his seat, believes a special election would level the playing field for everyone.
“Each individual would have to run on their own bona fides with no party banner. I think it’s fair,” he said. As for splitting the Democratic vote, however, he was less certain.
“It may. It may not,” Gallagher said. “It all depends. We don’t know whether there will be Republicans running and splitting my vote.”
In addition to the three Democrats already seeking Ognibene’s seat, 23-year-old Elizabeth Crowley announced her candidacy Tuesday and drew the endorsement of Queens Democratic Party boss Thomas Manton.
Earlier this year Ognibene had expressed interest in the mayoral race but refrained from committing until he consulted with Bloomberg, a former Democrat turned Republican.
Bloomberg spokesman Bill Cunningham said the meeting with Bloomberg took place two weeks ago.
“It was a very good meeting and I got the distinct impression that Tom was interested in Mike’s candidacy and therefore I assume he was not going to have a candidacy of his own,” Cunningham said.
City Councilmen Mike Abel (R-Bayside) and James Oddo (R-Staten Island) also attended the meeting and advised Bloomberg on the ins and outs of waging an election, Cunningham said.
“Nobody came in and handed out their bumper stickers,” Cunningham said. “ I got the distinct impression they were there to offer him advice and we view that as a very helpful conversation.”
After Ognibene had the mini summit with fellow Republicans, Frank Borzellieri — a conservative Democrat whose name has been floated as a possible candidate for the council seat in a special election — said he would not be running.
“My decision to forego the race was made final last week when my good friend Elizabeth Crowley called me to ask if I was making the race,” he said. “I was happy to encourage Elizabeth to run here.”
If the 30th Council District race turns out to be a special election, candidates will run without party affiliation so the traditional Democratic vs. Republican dynamic of one contender from each party becomes moot.
In Queens, however, with its largely Democratic constituents, Ognibene’s decision to forfeit his seat for the bench could set the stage for the Republicans to hold onto his seat.
“I think they would do something like this to give him an advantage,” said Erik De Paula, a Democratic candidate for the 30th CD seat. “And it probably will. I think they thought they could catch all the Democrats off guard.”
De Paula, however, said he had heard rumors of just such a judicial move several months ago at a Democratic club meeting and had prepared for it.
Linda Sansivieri of Middle Village, who is also running for the Ognibene seat, comes from a family with a long history of ties to Democratic clubs in the borough.
Ognibene has represented Middle Village, Ridgewood, Glendale and parts of Elmhurst and Forest Hills since he was first elected to the Council in 1992.
Reach reporter Jennifer Warren by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
