Primaries decided but fallout continues

Although concessions have been made in the two closest races in the Queens primaries, issues surrounding some candidates are not over.
Carmen Enriquez, who lost to incumbent Assemblymember Jos Peralta in the 39th District, is accusing Peralta of harassment and has made a request through the New York City Court Dispute Referral Center that he take part in a mediation session.
According to Enriquez, the harassment began two years ago and continued on Tuesday, September 12, when Peralta allegedly verbally embarrassed her.
&#8220I will do something because I'm not going to tolerate this kind of abuse,” Enriquez said.
However, Peralta said that there is no validity to any of Enriquez's accusations, saying that it was &#8220character assassination.” He also described it as an attempt to get her name in the press.
&#8220This is false accusations again,” said Peralta, who won the primary with 80 percent of the vote. &#8220She just doesn't stop. We should be concentrating on the issues facing our community.”
In the two closest races, the 10th and 13th Senatorial Districts, concessions have been made. Last week, Councilmember Hiram Monserrate conceded the election to incumbent Senator John Sabini, who won by 249 votes.
&#8220I want to thank all the people in the community who participated in this year's Democratic Primary,” said Sabini, of the 10th District. &#8220I look forward to continuing to work with my constituents and colleagues behind shared goals - excellent education for our children, affordable and high-quality health care and housing, safe, clean streets and a Democratic-led State Senate that is effective and responsive to our needs here in Queens.”
Long-time Senator Ada Smith of the 13th District also conceded her election to Shirley Huntley.
&#8220It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the State of New York for these many years. It is with sadness that I will depart the Office of State Senator of the 10th Senatorial District on December 31, 2006,” Smith said in a released statement. &#8220Rest assured that I will continue to be an advocate for those less fortunate and I will continue my activism in my new endeavors.”