By Steve Mosco
With the 2013 election season now underway, the field of candidates in southern Queens is beginning to take shape.
Parts of the region were heavily devastated by Hurricane Sandy, including Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, Rockaway, Belle Harbor and Breezy Point, represented by City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) in District 32 along with Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Woodhaven and Richmond Hill.
Ulrich has raised $8,250 as of May 29 with contributions from the Plumbers Local Union, RSA-PAC and Taxpayers for an Affordable New York, according to the city Campaign Finance Board. The councilman will be using those funds to defend his seat against Democratic District Leader Lew Simon, who announced his candidacy earlier this month.
Simon, not currently listed on the finance board’s website, finished second to Ulrich in the February 2009 special election, but this time around the Rockaway resident will be the lone Democratic challenger.
Representing Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood and parts of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven and Forest Hills in District 30, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) faces competition from community activist and Middle Village resident Republican Craig Caruana.
Crowley is already working hard gathering donations, raising more than $141,000 as of May 29, with contributions and endorsements from the United Federation of Teachers, the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Firefighters Association and labor union 1199 SEIU, according to the CFB. She staged an unsuccessful run for Congress last year, losing out to Flushing Democrat Grace Meng.
Top issues on Caruana’s website include discretionary spending, stopping the increase in property taxes, bringing more health care options to the district, enhancing education, increasing small business support and reforming street parking.
Caruana has raised more than $24,000 with contributions from many Middle Village residents, as well as individuals from outside the state, according to the CFB.
A spokesman for Crowley said although it is still early, the councilwoman will begin knocking on doors soon.
Meanwhile, representing Forest Hills, Rego Park and parts of Maspeth, Kew Gardens and Elmhurst in District 29, Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) has raised more than $75,000 as of May 29 with contributions form the United Federation of Teachers and New Yorkers for Affordable Housing.
Koslowitz is being challenged by independent Jon Torodash, 31, a community activist born in Forest Hills and currently living in Kew Gardens. Torodash refers to himself as a “Civic Virtue candidate,” in honor of the Borough Hall statue he fought to keep in place on Queens Boulevard in December.
Torodash has raised $1,195 as of May 29, mostly from Forest Hills and Kew Gardens residents, according to the CFB.
