Gallagher special election - set for June 3

Shortly after former City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher’s resignation became official, Mayor Bloomberg called for a June 3 special election that will choose Gallagher’s replacement in District 30. The winner of the special election will serve the rest of Gallagher’s term and likely have the inside track at reelection in 2009.
Seven candidates - three Republicans and four Democrats - had previously announced their intentions to run for the seat, but one candidate, Middle Village resident Michael Mascetti, 25, decided last week to drop out, narrowing the field down to six.
The newest entry into the race is Democrat John Seminerio, son of current Queens Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio. John Seminerio, who lives two blocks outside of the 30th district but plans to move into the district, ran for City Council in 2001 for the seat currently occupied by Joseph Addabbo.
Seminerio, who decided about two weeks ago to run in the special election, said he wanted to make sure there were no conflicts before officially announcing his candidacy.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Crowley, whose cousin Joseph Crowley is the Chair of the Queens County Democratic Organization (QCDO), appears to be the Democratic frontrunner after receiving the backing of the influential organization.
However, fellow Democrat Charles Ober, President of the Ridgewood Democratic Club, said that the QCDO did not give him a fair chance and is already threatening to challenge his petitions.
“They said if you proceed with the candidacy, we are going to challenge your petitions and fight you all the way,” Ober said referring to officials at the Queens Democratic Party.
The Republicans, Anthony Como, former Queens prosecutor and Commissioner of the Board of Elections; former City Councilmember Thomas Ognibene; and Joseph Suraci, a past-President of the Middle Village Republican Club; are all on the campaign trail seeking petitions to get on the ballot and inform residents about the special election.
With less than six weeks before the special election, Como resigned from his post as a Commissioner of the Queens Board of Elections on Friday, April 18 - the same day Gallagher’s resignation became official.
However, there was some talk about moving the petition review process, which determines if the candidates have enough signatures to get on the ballot for the special election, to Staten Island because of Como’s close ties to the Queens Board of Elections, but that measure will not take place.
“It’s kind of ridiculous,” said Como who has the backing of the Queens County Republican Party. “I think it’s quite offensive to the Board of Elections. Everyone does their job with the highest dignity.”
Meanwhile, the Queens Conservative Party officially endorsed Ognibene on Monday, April 21 because of his experience and independent voting record, according to Tom Long, party chair.
Gallagher agreed to step down from his position as part of plea deal for assaulting a 52-year-old woman in his Middle Village office last year.