Voters in Queens and Brooklyn will go to the polls on Tuesday, June 26, to choose nominees for Congressional seats up for grabs in the November election.
In the weeks leading up to the contests, the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times will feature in this column include press releases and statements sent by the campaigns of the various candidates on the ballot.
The statements in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times or its staff. Mudslinging statements which include personal attacks on candidates are omitted.
Turner Secures Place On GOP Sen. Ballot
Rep. Bob Turner announced that he won ballot status during the New York State Republican Convention in Rochester last Saturday, Mar. 17. Republican voters will choose between him, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and Manhattan attorney Wendy Long on June 26 for the party’s nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
“This was an amazing victory for a campaign that began just 72 hours ago. I am enormously grateful for all the support I received at the convention and I am energized to deliver my message of job growth and fiscal responsibility in every corner of this state,” Turner said last Saturday.
“This campaign has just begun. My team and I will be working nonstop from now until Election Day to address the critical jobs and economic issues of our times,” the Queens congressman added.
Turner also announced that he has received the support of the Queens County Republican Party, which withdrew its support of Maragos after Turner announced his candidacy for Senate last week.
“Queens County Republicans are proud to announce our support for our favorite son, Bob Turner. Bob has taken on the status quo and fought hard to reverse Washington’s reckless spending,” said Queens GOP Chair Phil Ragusa. “We worked hard to help elect him to Congress, and we look forward to doing the same in his race for U.S. Senate.”
“Bob is exactly the kind of political outsider with the right experience to create jobs that is needed in Washington,” added City Council Member Eric Ulrich.
New York Democrats Support Gillibrand
The New York State Democratic Committee formally nominated Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for re-election during a meeting on Monday morning, Mar. 19.
“Senator Gillibrand has proven herself to be a force in the U.S. Senate as an extraordinarily effective fighter for all of New York’s families,” said Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs in a press release. “Whether passing the 9/11 Health Bill, strengthening our national security by repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ reforming Washington, giving our first responders the tools needed to save lives or standing up for women’s rights, Kirsten has been a true champion for New Yorkers.”
Gillibrand was appointed in 2009 to the Senate seat previously held by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and was elected in 2010 to serve the remainder of Clinton’s term. Gillibrand is seeking her first full, six-year term in the Senate.
Democratic Pols Back Velázquez
Assembly members Joan Millman and Jim Brennan, State Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Daniel Squadron, City Council Member Brad Lander and Democratic District Leaders Jo Anne Simon and Chris Owens have announced their endorsement of Rep. Nydia Velázquez for re-election to the new Seventh Congressional District, which includes parts of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Glendale and Cypress Hills.
Velázquez’s supporters cited her willingness and leadership to support working famlies throughout the city.
Upon winning her Congressional seat in 1992, she became the first woman of Puerto Rican descent elected to Congress. Six years later, she was named the ranking Democratic member of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve in that position of a House committee.
In 2006, Velázquez was named chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, making her the first Latina to chair a full Congressional committee. She currently serves as the panel’s ranking member as well as a senior member of the Financial Services Committee.
As noted, only voters who are registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary election on June 26 (Democratic voters may only vote in the Democratic primary; Republican voters may only vote in the Republican primary, etc.). There will also be a Republican presidential primary on Apr. 24 open to registered Republican Party voters.
For more information on voting or to obtain a voting registration application, contact the New York City Board of Elections at 1-212-VOTENYC or visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.
Press representatives of candidates may send their information to this paper by fax to 1-718-456-0120 or e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All releases are subject to editing.
