After months of political jockeying and uncertainty, voters in the 38th Assembly District (38AD), encompassing parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Ozone and South Ozone Park, will pick their next State Assemblymember in a special election on Tuesday, September 15.
From a field that once included seven political hopefuls, including a candidate that nearly unseated a veteran State Senator and a returning veteran from the war in Afghanistan, voters will choose between two candidates selected by political party officials.
Michael Miller, who received the endorsement of the Conservative and Independence parties, was selected by 38AD District Leaders to be the Democratic candidate on Monday, August 17.
Miller, a member of Community Board 5 (CB5), is also a past president of the Glendale Kiwanis and accomplished fundraiser for the Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corps. A past board member of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, he is also a current board member of the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol and longtime participant.
His opponent, Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano, is another longtime resident of the district and 15-year former member of CB9, where she chaired the Transportation Committee.
A cum laude graduate of Queens College, she was a public school volunteer for 25 years and president of the Parent’s Association of P.S. 64 in Ozone Park, as well as an elected member of School Board 27 under the old Board of Education system.
She has been praised for her accomplishments as the Executive Director of the Forest Park Senior Center since 1994.
The winner will serve out the term of Anthony Seminerio, who resigned from the seat in June after pleading guilty to corruption in federal court. Seminerio is due to start serving his own term – 11 to 14 years in federal prison – when he is sentenced in October.
Regardless of who wins, the process starts all over again next year, when Seminerio’s term was due to expire – with another primary season and election next November.
