One of the most interesting local races this September and November will be in northeast Queens – Assembly District 26, which is currently held by Democrat Ann-Margaret Carrozza, who is not seeking reelection.
In the September Democratic primary, four men are vying for the nomination. Steve Behar, an attorney and longtime community activist; Ed Braunstein, the county Democratic-backed candidate who has spent the last five years working for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver; John Duane, an attorney who held an Assembly seat from 1984-1985; and Elio Forcina, a former marine and current lawyer and small business owner; are all looking to battle the Republican nominee in November.
While some political pundits consider Braunstein the favorite because of the county nod and his sizable fundraising advantage over his opponents (Braunstein has raised $109,067 while the next closest candidate is Forcina, who has raised $48,590), his opponents are trying to label him an outsider who will be more of the status quo in Albany.
“I think that Ed Braunstein’s candidacy represents everything that is wrong with our state government in Albany,” said Behar, who believes he should actually be the frontrunner because of his name recognition and longtime community involvement. “It represents a takeover of our district by failed leadership and a takeover of our district by the lobbyists and special interests.”
According to campaign finance filings, Braunstein has raised $109,067 from a total of 146 donors. However, an analysis of the filings show that 93 of the contributions accounting for more than $96,000 of the money raised came from persons with addresses outside of the district.
“Ed Braunstein is a soldier for the liberal elite Sheldon Silver,” Forcina said.
Braunstein, 28, wasn’t surprised that other candidates were taking shots at him.
“That comes with being the front-runner,” he said. “When you get the Queens County Democratic Organization, local elected officials and [significant] fundraising, everyone is going to start attacking you.”
While candidates originally filed objections to each other’s petitions, it appears likely that all four candidates will remain on the ballot for the primary – creating a four-way race in September.
“I really think it’s going to be the face-to-face interaction,” said Duane, about the difference in a four-way race where campaign mailings and other literature can often be lost on voters.
