Pheffer considered for County Clerk’s job

The recent passing of Queens County Clerk Gloria D’Amico has opened up a plum job for some lucky Queens politician. Every indication is it will go to one of the Queens Democratic Party’s most loyal elected officials, Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer. Pheffer had previously been fast tracked as the successor to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
This development shakes up the political topography in Queens in interesting ways. First, there would be a special election in the 23rd Assembly District to fill Pheffer’s seat. This district substantially overlaps the council district of Eric Ulrich, who won and held the seat in unusual circumstances. Many of the democrats who ran then are likely candidates now, including Frank Gulluscio, who lost to Ulrich in the November 2009 race.
The 23rd AD is about 3-1 democrat-to-republican in voter registration. That means it could be a winnable district for a dynamic Republican with money. But, should a democrat like Gulluscio manage to win the seat, he would be set up for another challenge to Ulrich, this time with the power of an elected office behind him. That could be bad news for Ulrich.
This also takes Pheffer out of the running for Queens BP, opening up that cushy position when Marshall is term limited in 2013. Many are looking at Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. as a possible replacement for Marshall. However, Vallone has also been considered the strongest potential successor to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who will be up for reelection this November. Brown is already the longest serving DA in Queens history, and may not run again.
While DA is considered a better job for someone who may want to run for higher office, it is also a more fulfilling job for someone like Vallone, who has a long career ahead of him. BP is more of a ceremonial job, not particularly challenging, and limited to two terms. Additionally, fewer politicians are qualified to be DA, while the only requirements to be BP are a friendly demeanor and support from the Queens Democratic Party.
That means the line to become BP will get very long in 2013, and backing from the Party will be critical. Vallone hasn’t always been in good stead with Party leaders, often going his own way in the Council when the interests of his constituents clash with Party objectives. Should Brown retire, a deal is sure to be made, with Vallone being given the nod for DA, while support for BP can then be given to a Party loyalist, and balance will be restored to the Democratic universe.

Robert Hornak is a Queens-based political consultant and an active member of the Queens Republican Party.