By Stephen Stirling
When John Choe entered the race for City Councilman John Liu’s (D−Flushing) seat with a splash last week — garnering the support of Liu himself and the Queens Democratic Organization — it could easily have rattled the other seven candidates already in contention.
But it would appear, at least initially, that the crowd has stood pat and is readying for what could be one of the hottest Council races in Queens.
Ron Kim, Gov. David Paterson’s former legislative aide and another recent entrant in the race, was delighted that Choe had joined the fray.
“I congratulate John on receiving the Queens Democratic nomination and welcome him to the race. He has been a longstanding member of this community and contributes to political life as Councilman John Liu’s chief of staff,” Kim said after Choe secured the backing of the borough party. “I look forward to fostering a healthy debate with John and the other candidates about the policies needed to move Queens County forward.”
Six Democrats have now registered for Liu’s seat with the city Campaign Finance Board: Choe, Kim, community activist S.J. Jung, education advocate Yen Chou, Democratic District Leader James Wu, Holly Civic Association President Isaac Sasson and Constantine Kavadas.
Flushing businessman Peter Koo is also campaigning for the seat as the only registered Republican candidate thus far, while Evergreen Chou has joined the race as a candidate for the Green Party. Democratic District Leader Martha Flores−Vasquez, meanwhile, has registered as a candidate, but said she plans to run in a future race, not in 2009.
Democratic District Leader James Woo, son of Ethel Chen and a longtime Democratic operative, said he could have had a shot at the nomination but stepped aside for the good of the party.
“Instead of trying to halt the wheels of democracy for my own political benefit, I made a decision to forgo a chance at the Queens County endorsement for the sake of party unity,” Wu said. “I still intend to run the best possible race I can, however. John Choe is a good candidate, but I believe I am a better one.”
Yen Chou, one of the earliest candidates to join the race and the leading fund−raiser with a $211,260 war chest, said she is undaunted by Choe.
“Oh, I’m still in,” she said. “And I’m the frontrunner in this race, believe me.”
Jung, a relative newcomer to politics, has also raised more than $100,000 so far and has secured the backing of the Working Families Party, which could allow him to continue his bid for the seat even if he loses the Democratic nomination.
Choe said he is excited about the extremely competitive nature of the race.
“I actually welcome people jumping into this race,” he said. “When voters have more choices, it helps them in terms of having a more vibrant discussion. It helps hold elected officials accountable. It shows that every vote in this district really counts. I plan on working to get every single one.”
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at sstirling@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 138.
