Quantcast

Health Issue Hits Halloran

Congress Candidate Sidelined By Tumor

City Council Member Daniel Halloran, the presumed Republican nominee for the new Sixth Congressional District seat in central Queens, underwent surgery yesterday, Wednesday, May 23, to remove a benign brain tumor and will be sidelined for several weeks.

“It’s a lengthy operation that will require me to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week. Then, after all goes well, I’ll return home to rest and recuperate,” Halloran said in a letter to his City Council constituents issued last Friday, May 18. “My doctors expect a speedy recovery, and I hope to be back on my feet within a few weeks.”

Halloran stated that he was diagnosed with the tumor in March, but he continued a full work schedule, attending regular meetings at the City Council and a New York City Water Board hearing on a rate hike at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village last month.

“I am fortunate to have good doctors working to resolve my health issues and a great staff who will be there for our community day in and day out,” Halloran added in his letter. “There will be no lack of attention to your needs while I am on the mend, and my staff will continue to provide the best constituent service in the City of New York. In the meantime, I ask for your thoughts during these next two weeks and welcome the prayers and well-wishes of those who have expressed their concern.”

A spokesperson for Halloran’s Congressional campaign told the Times Newsweekly that the surgery and recovery period “will knock him off the campaign trail for a short period of time, but he’s still in it to win it.”

The 40-year-old Bayside-based legislator entered the Congressional race on Mar. 29 after receiving the endorsement of the Queens County Republican Party. Having no challengers in the June 26 primary, he is expected to face in November one of four Democratic candidates battling for the party’s nomination for the congressional seat.

The four Democrats on the June 26 primary ballot are Assemblywoman Grace Meng of Flushing (who was endorsed by the Queens County Democratic Party), City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley of Glendale, Assemblyman Rory Lancman of Hillcrest and Robert Mittman, a Bayside physician who recently secured a place on the ballot after civic activist Jeff Gottlieb withdrew from the race.

As previously reported, the new Sixth Congressional District is the only one of its kind located entirely within Queens, spanning neighborhoods between Ridgewood and Douglaston. It was carved out of territory previously covered by districts represented by Rep. Gary Ackerman, who announced his retirement earlier this year, and Rep. Bob Turner, who is now running for Senate.

Only registered Democrats will be permitted to vote in the Democratic Primary on June 26. For voting information, call 1-212-VOTE-NYC or visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.