State Senator Joseph Addabbo is leading Republican challenger Danniel Maio in his re-election bid for an eighth term in the upper chamber.
Addabbo led with 55.47% of the vote (28,681 votes) as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results from the city’s Board of Elections.
This campaign was different after the New York Redistricting Commission redrew his district further north to include Richmond Hill, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Ozone Park and parts of other neighborhoods.
“It felt strange not to be campaigning on the familiar streets of Rockaway, Broad Channel and most of Howard Beach,” Addabbo told QNS recently. “But I think people deserve to have a full-time state senator at their side working with them on issues that matter to them. I think the main issue for most of the constituents throughout the district remains a crime and public safety. We have seen hate crimes in Richmond Hill and we have gun violence and other types of crimes.”
Last week, Addabbo requested more than $700,000 in funding for the police precincts in his new district to allow them to purchase vehicles and security camera systems.
“Our Community Affairs Officers are a vital part of the NYPD team because they are the ones traveling through their sectors on a daily basis, and by doing this, they become trusted members of the community, and when citizens know who their community officers are, it plays a major role in boosting police-community relationships,” Addabbo said. “That type of relationship is crucial in helping to solve crimes and preventing crimes from happening in the first place.”
In addition to the vehicles, Addabbo requested funding for two ARGUS camera systems for each of the 102nd, 104th, 106th, and 112th precincts.
“Cameras are critical tools used by the NYPD in their crime-fighting efforts, and this funding for two new camera systems for the four precincts in my new district will go a long way in ensuring the safety of all citizens.”
His other concerns are educational issues, environmental problems with chronic flooding impacting many neighborhoods, and job growth.
“That’s why I continue to advocate for Resorts World NYC to get one of the three full-casino licenses in downstate New York,” Addabbo said. “It’s going to create good union jobs and increase funding for education and programs for gambling addiction.”
