By Adam Kramer
Board of Elections officials have thrown 16 of the borough’s political hopefuls off the ballot for the 2002 statewide elections after hearing challenges to their nominating petitions.
In hopes of weeding out some of their opponents, candidates and their staffs challenge signatures on their opponents’ petitions. These challenges are frequently used to force out some of the minor contenders in crowded races and set the stage for the September primary as well as the November election.
Congress:
5th CD — Republican Perry Reich was thrown off the ballot, leaving U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) as the only candidate.
6th CD — U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) and Democrat Rey Clarke are the two candidates.
7th CD — Democrat Jon Branning was thrown off the ballot, leaving U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) to fight it out with Dennis Coleman, a Bronx Democrat.
9th CD — U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) faces fellow Democrat Alfred Donohue.
12th CD — Cesar Estevez was thrown off the Republican ticket, but remains the Conservative party candidate. He will meet U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Ridgewood) in November.
14th CD — U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) faces Republican Anton Srdanovic and Democrat Jeff Brauer.
15th CD — U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Astoria) squares off against only Republican Jessie Fields since Democrat Conrad Muhammad was eliminated.
State Senate:
10th SD — State Sen. Ada Smith (D-Laurelton) does not have an opponent as Democrat Lawrence McClean was removed from the ballot.
11th SD – State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) has no opponent.
12th SD — Incumbent George Onorato (D-Long Island City) will face Republican Marie Lynch and Green Ann Eagan.
13th SD — Three Democrats — John Sabini, Charles Castro and Nestor Diaz — are fighting for the job. Republican Giash Ahmed was removed from the ballot.
14th SD — There is no opponent for state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans).
15th SD — State Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) faces Green Party candidate Dorothy Williams-Pereira and Working Party candidate Pamela Peters.
16th SD — Two longtime Democrats, state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Julia Harrison, meet in the primary. The winner faces Conservative party candidate Mark Ralin. Democrat Marcia Lynn was taken off the ballot.
State Assembly:
22nd AD — Ethel Chen, Barry Grodenchik, John Albert and Jimmy Meng remain in the Democratic primary. The winner faces Republican Meilin Tan and Green Evergreen Chou in November. Democrat Richard Jannaccio was kicked off the ballot.
23rd AD — Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway) faces Independent Kenneth Huhn.
24th AD — Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Bayside) meets Republican Stacey Kaplan-Vila.
25th AD — Assemblyman Brian McLaughin (D-Flushing) has no opponent.
26th AD — Assemblywoman Ann Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) faces Republican John Ottulich.
27th AD — Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Forest Hills) does not have an opponent.
28th AD — Assemblyman Michael Cohen (D-Forest Hills) battles Republican Todd Bank.
29th AD — Republican Gerald Borriello is trying to unseat Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-St. Albans).
30th AD — Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) has no opponent.
31st AD — In a crowded race Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-Laurelton) goes up against Democrats Charles Pringle, Bryan Block, Henrietta Fullard, Michael Duvalle and Taj Rajkumar. The winner faces Republican Marina Rejus.
32nd AD — Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-Jamaica) is running against Republican Rachel Gordon.
33rd AD — Republican newcomer Rolaine Antoine hopes to unseat Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village).
34th AD — Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette (D-Jackson Heights) does not have an opponent.
35th AD — Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-East Elmhurst) has no opponent.
36th AD Green Party candidate Gerald Kann hopes to unseat Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria).
37th AD — Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) will run against Green Party candidate Patrick Langhenry.
38th AD — Green Party candidate Darius Pereira will face Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Richmond Hill).
39th AD — Democrats, Jose Peralta, William Salgado and Francisco Moya, battle to face Republican Charley Gonzales. Democrat Isabel Guzman was removed from the ballot.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
