By Rebecca Henely
Despite having a Democratic opponent for the first time in years, state Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D–Corona) achieved victory over challenger Anthony Miranda, a retired policeman, garnering 63 percent of the vote and winning another two-year term in office, according to unofficial election results.
“I’m elated. It’s a great feeling,” Aubry said of his win. “I’m pleased with the way we won and the nature of the campaign that we ran.”
He said Albany faces a difficult year and he hopes to work to help restore the people’s faith in the state government.
Aubry has no Republican challenger in the general election. He has held the position of assemblyman for the 35th Assembly District for 18 years.
Miranda wished Aubry the best for his win.
“Congratulations to Jeff Aubry for his victory,” Miranda said. “I think it says we have an opportunity to grow as a community.
Miranda said he would continue to work in the community. He also said he thought the results meant more voters would need to be engaged because the turnout was low.
Stumpers for both candidates clashed at the election site at PS 127 at 98-01 25th Ave, where Aubry and Miranda voted Tuesday morning. Lupe Todd, campaign manager for Aubry, said Hayden Horsham, a Miranda ally and candidate for male district leader for Part A, was electioneering at the door to the voting booth. A confrontation ensued and police were alerted, Todd said.
“The police were good,” Todd said. “They came out and they kind of quelled everything.”
Horsham said Todd, a Brooklyn resident, was creating a distraction and attacked her for being a paid worker for Aubry.
“These people are starting problems and walking away to another paycheck,” Horsham said.
Despite the minor dust-up, Les Alford, a poll worker at PS 127, said the mood of the voters was upbeat.
“Everybody seems to be in good temperament,” Alford said.
Poll worker Petrolyn Nembhard described the turnout as “pretty good” for the morning when asked around 10:30 a.m.
Alford also said the new voting machines were accepted “100 percent” by voters.
“Nobody seems to be frustrated with the new process,” he said. “It’s been really, really smooth.”
Aubry said his campaign was centered on defending his record, especially the severely whittled downstate budget recently passed in Albany. Issues he cited as crucial in his campaign included job training, affordable housing, assisted living for the elderly, youth programs and maintenance of community services. He said he also hoped to continue his work as chairman of the Assembly Corrections Committee.
Miranda, a compatriot of ousted state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, said he was running because he believed Aubry had not been visible to constituents or represented their interests. He touted his platform of government accessibility, diverse representation in government, government transparency, healthcare access, preserving jobs, protecting homeowners and protecting the working class.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
