By Courtney Dentch
Borough representatives to the House of Representatives and the state Assembly and state Senate are up for re-election this year, and potential candidates have filed papers to challenge 16 of the sitting lawmakers.U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is also running for another term this year, and Queens has two Civil Court judgeships up for grabs.Candidates wishing to make either the Sept. 14 primary or Nov. 9 general election ballot on a major party line had to file designating petitions with the city or state Board of Elections by last Thursday.The Board of Elections will verify whether candidates have supplied the required number of names, and the petitions can also be challenged by other candidates in a board hearing or in court. If problems with the names or the paperwork are found, the candidates could be bumped off the ballot.The city Board of Elections plans to hold its hearings on challenges between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6.Candidates wishing to run on Independent Party tickets, including the Green or Liberal parties, can file petitions in August.Four people have signed on to face U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), whose district covers parts of Queens and the Bronx. Aniello Grimaldo, Dennis Coleman and Curtis Brooks Ñ all Democrats Ñ and Joseph Cinquemani, who filed as a Republican and Conservative, are trying to unseat the three-term lawmaker, according to the Board of Elections.Two Republicans may square off against each other in a bid to face U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside). Steven Graves, who has the endorsement of the Queens Republican Party and who also filed as a Conservative, and Jun Policarpio were slated for the Sept. 14 primary ballot.Each of the borough's four other House representatives are facing opponents, and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Steinway), who covers a minute section of northwest Queens, may have to tackle five potential challengers, according to the Board of Elections.State lawmakers are also up for re-election this year and just nine of the borough's 25 representatives were to face challenges, according to the Board of Elections.Three people had filed petitions to unseat Assemblyman Barry Grodenchik (D-Flushing), who was elected in 2002. Jimmy Meng, who was listed as a Democrat, Independent and Conservative, and Republican Meilin Tan ran against Grodenchik in 2002 and are trying again this year. Democrat Benjamin Singer is also joining the race.Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-South Ozone Park) is also facing an opponent from the 2002 campaign. Democrat Rachel Gordon is hoping for better luck this year, while Jereline Hunter, a Republican and Conservative, is also trying to oust Cook.In Jackson Heights, Democratic Assemblyman Jose Peralta, who was first elected in 2002, may face two challengers. Republican Giash Ahmed and Democrat Humberto Suarezmotta have filed to run against Peralta.In the state Senate, two borough legislators are up against challengers. State Sen. John Sabini (D-Flushing) may have a primary against Democrat Luis Rosero, while Republican Danniel Maio hopes to unseat state Sen. George Onorato (D-Long Island City).Schumer may face Republican and Conservative candidates in his bid for a second term in the U.S. Senate. Howard Mills filed to run on the GOP ticket and Marilyn O'Grady was on the Conservative line, according to the state Board of Elections.Queenswide there are two vacancies on the Civil Court bench and four people have signed on for that race. Republican and Conservative candidates Peter Lane and Cassandra Mullen, who also filed on the Independent line, ran unsuccessfully for judgeships last year and are trying again, while Democrats Lee Mayersohn, son of Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing), and Joseph Esposito are also vying for the slots.Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
