By Juan Soto
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) is seeking a ninth term in office, but a Queens accountant is trying to prevent that from happening.
Meeks will face Joseph Marthone in the June 24 Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District that covers southeast Queens and parts of Nassau County.
It will mark the second time Marthone has challenged the congressman for his seat in the House.. In 2012, Meeks won with approximately 70 percent of the vote in a four-way Democratic primary.
Marthone believes he can beat Meeks this times around. He compared the primary race to a modern version of the biblical David and Goliath, and pointed out what happened to U.S. Rep.
R Eric Cantor, the House Republican majority leader from Virginia who lost his primary this month in a stunning surprise to a little-known Tea Party candidate.
“Meeks has lost touch with his district, just as Cantor did with his,” claimed Marthone. “That is why,” the congressional candidate added, “the district needs new leadership to represent them.”
But the congressman has a different view, saying it is up to voters to decide if they want change or not.
“All I can say is that the people will make that decision,” Meeks said. “And I keep on asking for their support because it is a privilege and a pleasure to represent them in Congress.”
But Marthone said that challenging the congressman “is necessary.” He added that voters “always welcome the opportunity to have a choice when they go to the polls.”
The challenger is telling the electorate that “if they don’t like the direction things are heading to, they deserve better and have the opportunity to vote for change.”
To make sure his name was on the ballot June 24, Marthone’s campaign submitted 800 pages of signed petitions to the city Board of Elections, an unusually large number. He said Meeks’ campaign presented 257 pages with signatures.
The Democratic candidate claimed Meeks failed his constituents in issues ranging from education and affordable housing to health care.
“He is going in the wrong direction,” said Marthone.
But the congressman said he is delighted to work “seven days a week, 12 to 13 hours a day for his constituents.”
He added that “supporting President [Barack] Obama on the heath care act, on education, on immigration reform, is the right direction to take.”
Meeks said he never stops campaigning.
“People come up to me and say that I look like I am campaigning,” he said. “Well, it’s true because I work hard for the people all the time.”
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
