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Nolan and Kim win re-election to state Assembly

By Bill Parry

Assembly members Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) and Ron Kim (D-Flushing) both won re-election Tuesday and will return to the lower house in Albany.

Nolan, who has held her seat in the 37th District since 1984, got nearly 83 percent of the vote, defeating John Kevin Wilson for the third straight time.

The Libertarian from Sunnyside, a bartender and actor by profession, received only 7 percent of the vote after he secured 12 percent in 2012 and 16 percent in 2010.

Nolan, who lives in Ridgewood with her husband and son, has served as chairwoman of the Education Committee since 2006 and sits on the Ways and Means, Rule, Veterans’ Affairs and Corporation, Authorities and Commissions committees.

“Wow! Unofficial returns show that I received approximately 93 percent of the vote,” Nolan said. “My sincerest thanks to all the thousands of voters in the neighborhoods of the 37th Assembly District, including Queensbridge, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Maspeth, Ravenswood, Astoria houses, Hunters Point and Ridgewood who have honored me with the great privilege of representing them in the New York State Assembly. I will return to Albany renewed in my commitment to work hard to honor their trust.”

Meanwhile, Ron Kim, the first Korean American in the New York Legislation recaptured District 40 with 59 percent against Republican challenger Philip Gim’s 31 percent. Kim, who was endorsed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and good government group Citizens United, heralded his record of working within the community as a bridge builder and a compromise broker between Korean elders and other parts of the community.

At a senior center in Flushing Wednesday, Kim said, “I came to humbly express my gratitude to our elders for your love, support and guidance in my first bid for re-election. Throughout our clean campaign, we remained focused and disciplined, just as our elders taught us.”

Kim explained to the seniors that his wife Alison and he are expecting their first child, a daughter in a few weeks time.

“I want to make sure that our daughter grows up in a world where she’ll play on a field of opportunities that are not just nine-tenths equal or sometimes equal, but fully equal,” Kim said. “In every election, we are compelled to revisit and realign our values and principles. In this country, if you work hard, play fair and with passion, you deserve an equal opportunity for success. With these values and with a grateful heart, I am invigorated to continue serving my constituents and bringing change for the better of this community I call home.”

Kim first immigrated to the United States from South Korea when he was just 7 years old.

Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr‌y@cng‌local.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.