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.
15th State Sen. Dist.
Reyes Wins Backing Of Queens’ GOP
The Queens County Republican Party screening panel interviewed and unanimously recommended for endorsement Juan Reyes for State Senate in the 15th Senatorial District.
“Juan has the experience, consistency of principle and judgment necessary to represent this Queens district,” said Queens GOP Chairperson Phil Ragusa. “Reyes is a highly accomplished lawyer who knows how to take on the bureaucracy and make it work for both management and labor. As a high level Giuliani official he helped cut red tape, streamline government, and revitalize our economy and neighborhoods while creating much needed construction and permanent jobs. New York needs that kind of experience and leadership today.”
“Ultimately Juan Reyes’ experience creating jobs as a Giuliani official, working with U.S. Sen. Bob Dole and Donald Rumsfeld on na- tional issues, and practicing law in the private sector have prepared him well to take on the special interest in Albany,” Ragusa added. “Juan Reyes will do what he does best: Fight to cut red tape and redundancy to save taxpayers money, spur economic recovery and job creation. As a husband and father Juan Reyes will fight for middle class families, seniors on a fixed incomes, and small business owners.”
“I am honored to have the Queens GOP’s endorsement as I campaign to bring our district’s vital message to Albany. That message is one of less spending, lower taxes, less burdensome regulations; more accountability, more transparency, and more freedom that leads to greater growth and economic strength,” Reyes said. ” I grew up in this community. I am raising my family in this community. This community is important to me and to many others who have seen someone vote the wrong way in Albany on our behalf. As your State Senator, I will fight to get our economy moving again in order to create good jobs. I have the experience to tackle the issues we face. I have the right ideas about what is best for this district and our state.”
Ulrich In Favor Of Minimum Wage Hike
City Council Member and State Senate candidate Eric A. Ulrich announced that he supports an increase in New York’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour.
If elected to the State Senate in November, Ulrich vowed to also back a provision to periodically adjust the minimum wage to reflect the rate of inflation.
A debate over the minimum wage has been ongoing in Albany. Last week, Ulrich voted in favor of a City Council resolution in support of A.9148/S.6413, which would raise the state minimum wage and call upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign this legislation.
“People are hurting in Queens and the current minimum wage simply isn’t enough to make ends meet for families here,” Ulrich said. “Single parent households are especially hit hard by the rising cost of living in New York. The bottom line is that there simply aren’t enough hours in the week at $7.25 per hour to pay the rent or mortgage and to buy the basic household items they need. I have listened to both sides of this argument, but one truth resonates more than any other: If we don’t take this action, too many families are going to go under.”
“The minimum wage should not be a partisan issue,” Ulrich continued. “I believe that people who work hard to support their families deserve a better standard of living.”
Editor’s note: Ulrich and Reyes will face each other in a September primary for the Republican Party nomination to face incumbent Democratic State Sen. Joseph Addabbo in the November general election.
Sixth Congress Dist.
Public Worker Union Supporting Lancman
The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), representing 54,000 public-sector professional workers across New York State, endorsed Assemblyman Rory Lancman for New York’s Sixth Congressional district.
PEF President Ken Brynien praised Lancman for his leadership on workplace safety issues as Chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Workplace Safety, and for his dedication to leveling the economic playing field for ordinary New Yorkers.
“At a time when workers and the middle class are under attack in Washington, we need a fighter who will put the needs of working New Yorkers before the desires of big corporations and special interests,” Brynien said. “Rory Lancman has shown that he is that fighter. From his leadership on issues like safe patient handling and violence in the workplace, to his commitment to level the economic playing field, Rory Lancman has time-and-time-again demonstrated why he deserves our endorsement, and the endorsement of all working New Yorkers in the 6th District.”
As chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Workplace Safety, Lancman has sponsored legislation to crack down on violence in the workplace, something that PEF members in the healthcare field face on a regular basis. He has been a supporter of laws that would level the economic playing field, including the millionaire’s tax, and giving homeowners the same legal rights as big banks in foreclosure proceedings.
“I’m proud to accept the endorsement of PEF and their many members who work hard every day to keep our government running and keep us healthy,” Lancman said. “I look forward to working with them on behalf of all working New Yorkers who now, more than ever, need a champion in Washington who will fight for them.”
Police Union Backs Crowley For NY-6
The New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, representing more than 50,000 active and retired city police officers, endorsed Council Member Elizabeth Crowley in her campaign for Congress in New York’s Sixth Congressional District in Queens.
Crowley has been a defender of the NYPD and has consistently called on the city to hire more police officers. She was also the first politician to decry Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to cut officers’ guaranteed benefits in the Variable Supplement Fund.
“Elizabeth Crowley understands the urgent need to bring the NYPD back up to strength,” said PBA President Patrick J. Lynch. “She understands that safe streets are the engine that powers our local economy by drawing people to live, work and visit New York City. Elizabeth Crowley has stood with NYC’s police officers in our fight with the city for fair treatment because she cares deeply about working families.”
Crowley pledged to bring federal dollars to New York City to protect the public safety of New Yorkers. The NYPD received $95 million of federal funds last year, and the department uses every dollar it receives to hire and train police officers. She has been highly critical of the Holt Amendment, which attempted to strip the NYPD of those federal funds for its legal counterterrorism surveillance.
“New York’s Finest put their lives at risk every day to ensure our safety,” said Crowley. “There are 7,000 fewer police officers since Sept. 11, 2001, and in Congress, I will fight to get federal funding to hire more officers and keep New Yorker’s safe every day.”
Meng Gets High Marks From UFT
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) announced its recommendation of Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s candidacy to the New York State United Teachers for the newly drawn Sixth Congressional District.
The union claims a statewide membership of over 600,000 members and represents teachers, professors, healthcare professionals and day care providers.
Meng said, “Nothing is more important than ensuring all of our children receive an A+ education. That’s why I am honored and humbled to receive the recommendation of the United Federation of Teachers – a union which has done so much for our students, teachers and public education system. I am hopeful to earn the support of the New York State United Teachers in the coming days and look forward to continuing the fight for healthy and safe learning environments for students, securing the necessary resources our teachers deserve and advocating for a first-rate education in all of our schools as a representative in Congress.”
The UFT is one of New York’s largest and most politically engaged unions, boasting an extensive media apparatus, direct communication capabilities and an active and dedicated membership. With over 13,000 UFT households in the Sixth Congressional district, the UFT’s support is considered to be one of the most coveted union endorsements in the race for the newly drawn district.
U. S. Senate Race
Giuliani Supporting Turner’s Senate Bid
Former New York City Mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani endorsed Rep. Bob Turner in his candidacy for United States Senate.
“Bob Turner is the definition of a citizen legislator who took his lifelong business experience to Washington,” said Giuliani. “Now he is running for Senate for the same reason: to put our country back on a path toward job growth and prosperity. … I urge my fellow Republicans to join me in supporting him.”
“I’m honored and humbled to receive Mayor Giuliani’s endorsement,” said Turner. “To the world, he became ‘America’s Mayor,’ but to us here in New York, he was always our mayor-a man who had the vision and courage to transform the city in a way critics never thought possible. We are all still benefiting from the results of his leadership and I will look to him for advice and counsel as I seek to make a similar transformation of the federal government in the U.S. Senate.”
As noted, only voters who are registered with a party may vote in that party’s Congressional and Senate primary elections on June 26 (Democratic voters may only vote in the Democratic primary; Republican voters may only vote in the Republican primary, etc.).
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.
