Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry proved to his Democratic primary challenger Anthony Miranda that he isn’t going anywhere.
Aubry defeated Miranda in the Democratic primary for the 35th Assembly District seat. It was the first time in many years that the 62-year-old incumbent had a challenger. Aubry has represented the neighborhoods of East Elmhurst, Corona, Elmhurst, LeFrak City and Rego Park since 1992.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Aubry said. “I really appreciated the victory people in the 35th District gave me.”
Aubry won with more than 63 percent of the votes. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Aubry had received 2,289 votes and Miranda got 1,355 votes.
Miranda, 49, a retired New York Police Department officer and a former staffer of disgraced ex-Senator Hiram Monserrate, co-founded the National Latino Officers Association (NLOA). Aubry’s campaign was surprised when former Mayor Ed Koch endorsed the Assemblymember’s opponent.
Lupé Todd, the campaign spokesperson, said Miranda used his non-profit to promote a campaign fundraiser on Thursday, September 2, when he wasn’t supposed to. She also said Miranda’s campaign disseminated inaccurate flyers in the district that mischaracterized the reform of the Rockefeller drug laws as benefiting drug dealers.
Aubry, who served as the Corrections Committee chair, used the Rockefeller Drug Laws as a campaign platform. He is the original sponsor of legislation that changed the highly criticized 1970s sentencing laws.
Once the voting results were clear, Aubry did not seemed fazed by all the campaign tactics.
“I wish him (Miranda) well,” Aubry said. “I know he has dreams of being elected. I hope one day he fulfills his dream, just not in the 35th District.”
Now, Aubry is ready to get back to work. He said he will address the issues of creating jobs and affordable housing in the community.
“We need to protect the needed services by the people of New York State and the 35th District,” Aubry said.
