By Stephen Stirling
All three 2006 opponents of state Assemblywoman Ellen Young (D-Flushing) banded together Monday on a single ticket in a bid to unseat the freshman politician who narrowly won the Democratic primary less than two years ago.
Grace Meng, daughter of former state Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, officially announced her intention to seek the Assembly seat on the steps of Flushing Library. She was flanked by Terrence Park and former City Councilwoman Julia Harrison, both of whom ran against Meng in 2006 but will run as candidates for district leader positions alongside her in the Democratic primary this September.
"I think it's time we started working together," Meng said of the new partnership. "Putting aside our differences is not always easy, but I think it's something we have done and by doing so I think we can be victorious."
Park said the slate of candidates, which also includes community activists James Trikas and Fay Myers, reflects the diversity of the Flushing state Assembly district.
"We live in a diverse community and I believe the servants of our community should be diverse as well," Park said.
Meng ran for the seat in 2006 after her father declined to run for reelection due to health problems, but was removed from the ballot after Young challenged her residency status. Meng said Monday the same problem will not be an issue this year.
"We're all duly qualified for running for office," she said.
Young, who breezed to a victory in the general election, but won the 2006 Democratic primary by just 122 votes over Harrison and Park, was quick to issue a response to Meng's announcement touting her achievements during her current term.
"My track record during this time speaks for itself: In addition to successfully securing an increase in the state budget for Flushing, I passed eight bills (including one this afternoon) that tackle relevant issues like affordable housing, health care and quality education," Young said.
She added that "my door is always open, and will remain open. I will continue to work hard in the Assembly to make my constituents proud."
Harrison said the executive board of the Democratic Club of Flushing, one of the oldest political clubs in the community, voted "overwhelmingly" to endorse the slate of candidates on Sunday.
This news came as a surprise to James Wu and Loretta Weiss, two of the area's current district leaders and members of the executive board, who immediately refuted the vote.
"She had a committee meeting on Sunday. She told the executive board members that it was a committee meeting and we didn't need to be there," Wu said, arguing that only about a quarter of the club's 40 executive board members attended the meeting.
"The club has not endorsed anybody. The club has not even met to discuss this," he said. "It's a little bit insulting."
Harrison could not be reached for further comment, but Park said there were only four members absent from the club's vote, including Wu and Weiss.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
