By Stephen Stirling
Flushing businessman Peter Koo announced last Thursday that he has picked up a pair of endorsements in recent weeks in his bid to unseat state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone).
The New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association, one of the largest police unions in the country, announced it would throw its unanimous support behind Koo, who will face Stavisky on the Republican ticket in November.
"The SBA supports a variety of candidates and we will continue to support those who share our values. Peter Koo not only shares our values, but he will fight for the rights of police officers and for the safety of our families and our community," said SBA President Ed Mullins.
The SBA's endorsement came after the Queens Independence Party and Queens Conservative Party threw their support behind Koo.
"I'm a citizen and a father, so security is one of the most important things in society," Koo said following the endorsement. "Police officers have one of toughest jobs I can think of. We don't pay our police force enough to compensate them as compared to other cities. The men and women of the NYPD work hard every day and we don't appreciate them enough."
Stavisky, meanwhile, is the designated candidate for the Queens County Democratic Party as well as the Working Families Party. Campaign consultant Joe Reubens of the Parkside Group said Stavisky has been actively fund-raising ahead of the next campaign finance filing deadline, which is July 15.
"Her fund-raising has been going according to schedule for a race, so she's certainly going to have sufficient funds available," Reubens said.
Stavisky has been the state senator since 1999 and was elected after her husband, Leonard Stavisky, who had held the seat since the 1966, died in office. Stavisky is expected to receive the full backing of the Queens Democratic Party.
Stavisky has cruised to victory during each of the last four elections and Republican officials are hoping that Koo's prominent presence in a state Senate district that has a large Asian population will play to his advantage this November.
Stavisky's senate district covers Flushing, Whitestone, Beechhurst, Bay Terrace, Pomonok and parts of Elmhurst, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens and Steinway.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
