By Phil Corso
More than one month after announcing his intentions to run for the newly created 25th state Assembly District seat, Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece said things have been working in his favor so far, including his first endorsement from the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.
“I am very optimistic,” Iannece said. “I have received some overwhelming positive reactions and I’m honored in many ways. We will see what happens.”
Iannece said he recently officially filed with the city Board of Elections and is raising money for his Assembly bid for the seat currently held by Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows), but given his experience in previous campaigns, he said he was confident in his ability to attract money and collect signatures.
No other candidates have officially announced a campaign for the seat.
In 2009, Kevin Kim defeated Iannece in a Democratic primary for City Council in the district now represented by Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone). Lancman, currently running for Congress, said he would endorse a candidate for his seat but has not yet made a decision.
One of the next steps, Iannece said, was waiting to see whom the Queens Democratic Party would pick to endorse as its official candidate.
“I’ve been out there for a long time,” Iannece said. “I have an established record of over 25 years of commitment to this community and I’m looking forward to seeing how everything goes.”
The newly drawn Assembly district lines included most of Bayside Hills, where Iannece lives with his wife and two children. The former Bronx assistant district attorney also works within the newly drawn lines as an attorney in Fresh Meadows.
Since announcing his plans to run, Iannece said he has been keeping busy juggling the duties of the community board, his work as an attorney and supporting graduations for both his son from college and daughter from high school.
Whenever possible, he said he has been working to familiarize himself with the most important state issues.
“The issues are a little different on the state level,” Iannece said. “There are bigger policy issues than an Assembly member would have to be familiar with.”
In particular, Iannece cited hydrofracking, city co-ops and condos legislation to monitor tax rates and the New York Dream Act.
Iannece said that although he was reluctant at first to throw his hat into the race for Lancman’s 25th District seat, he received overwhelming support from various civic and political leaders.
“Things are going according to plan and even better than expected in some ways,” Iannece said. “I am being embraced by a lot of people and it’s humbling.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
