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 press releases and statements sent by the campaigns of the 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. Mud-slinging statements which include personal attacks on candidates are omitted.
Arcabascio The GOP Pick For Sen. Seat
The Queens County Republican Party screening panel interviewed and unanimously recommended for endorsement Tony Arcabascio for State Senate in the 12th Senatorial District, which is currently occupied by Democratic State Sen. Michael Gianaris.
Chairman Phil Ragusa stated “Tony has the independence and commitment to represent this northwestern Queens district with integrity and intelligence. Tony as a business executive and technology professional is a ‘can do’ problem solver who can help tackle the problems our community and state are facing.”
“As an independent I am really honored that Republican Party will support me for State senate and agrees with my focus on jumpstarting the economy, creating jobs, improving schools and healthcare and re- forming government to make it more transparent and accountable,” Arcabascio said. “I agree with Chairman Ragusa that Queens residents are tired of the relentless partisanship of my opponent and will be looking for practical solutions to the challenges we face.”
The 12th Senatorial District includes portions of the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Glendale, Woodhaven and Ozone Park.
Meng Raises $500K For Congress Bid
Assemblywoman Grace Meng announced that her campaign for the new Sixth Congressional District seat raised $500,000 in just a month and a half.
The campaign, Grace for New York, received contributions from more than 660 individuals-including 310 who gave $250 or less.
“I am humbled by the strong support our campaign has received as we approach the June 26th Democratic primary,” she said. “Our grassroots momentum continues to grow as hundreds of individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout the district, county, city, and state help get our message out to Queens families and neighbors.”
Meng’s campaign has received the endorsement of Rep. Joe Crowley, the Queens County Democratic Organization, Emily’s List, the Hotel Trades Council, UFCW Local 1500, Sanitation Officers Association, IBT Local 812, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, dozens of civic leaders, community activists, and elected officials from throughout New York.
Bravest & Strongest Backing Crowley
The Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) and the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association Local 831IBT have endorsed City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s bid to win the new Sixth Congressional District seat.
The UFOA represents 2,500 lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, medical officers and supervising fire marshals of the Fire Department.
“Elizabeth Crowley has repeatedly demonstrated strong support for a Fire Department that is constantly being threatened with firehouse closings and roster shortages,” said Fire Capt. Al Hagen, president of the UFOA. “Crowley is the chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Committee. And as such, she has been in the forefront of annual budget battles over firehouse closings-and she has won every time.”
“I’m proud to have the support of New York’s Bravest who are always our first line of defense when emergencies occur,” Council Member Crowley said. “New York is still a top terrorist target, and I will continue being a strong advocate who will fight for more federal funding it needs to be the preeminent fire department that it is and New Yorkers need it to be.”
“The city’s sanitation workers union-6,100 members strong-is proud to endorse Councilwoman Crowley,” said Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association Local 831IBT President Harry Nespoli. “I know that as a member of Congress she will stick up for working men and women.”
Nespoli praised the legislator for a resolution she recently sponsored calling on the state legislature to pass a bill that would make attacking a city sanitation worker an assault in the second degree. State law already provides such protection for traffic enforcement agents, registered nurses, emergency service workers, firefighters and police officers.
In thanking the union for its endorsement, Crowley said, “I’m proud to have the support of New York’s Strongest-our sanitation men and women-who play such a vital role in keeping our city clean and healthy.
Immigrant Group Supports Lancman
The New American Voters Association (NAVA), a community organization established in 2008 to advance political awareness and voters’ education of new immigrant communities throughout New York City, especially the South Asian community, endorsed Assemblyman Rory Lancman for the new Sixth Congressional District seat.
In their endorsement, NAVA cited Lancman’s record of building coalitions and working with New American communities as a representative of the diverse 25th Assembly District. Specifically, NAVA named Lancman’s work on legislation regarding workplace discrimination, the DREAM Act, and comprehensive immigration reform as a driving force behind their support.
“Rory is the kind of leader we need now in Washington to represent and address New American communities,” said Dilip Nath, president of NAVA. “He has firsthand experience in working with our community and is exactly the kind of coalition-building leader we need in Washington. He will be prepared and ready on his first day in Congress to fight for working families and small businesses, and he will stand up for comprehensive immigration reform for many New Americans.”
Lancman thanked NAVA for the endorsement, and pledged to continue his track record of building coalitions and fighting for the rights of immigrant communities.
“I’m thrilled to have the support of NAVA and leaders in the South Asian community in this race,” Lancman said. “As someone who has represented one of the most diverse Assembly districts in the state, my experience building coalitions and fighting for the rights of immigrants and New Americans will be invaluable in representing one of the most diverse Congressional districts in the country.”
NAVA has sponsored numerous events and provided many community services such as voter education, publication of newsletters, voter registration drives, political forums, polling site assistance, Census awareness and other voter programs. NAVA is dedicated to increasing voter turnout in local, state and federal elections. NAVA’s goal is to use compelling media marketing to reach registered voters and give special attention to underrepresented new Americans.
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.).
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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 email to info@times newsweekly.com. All releases are subject to editing.
