Democrats in much of Queens — and Republicans across the entire borough — will go to the polls June 26 to vote in primaries for their party’s nominees for Congress.
On the Republican side, the race pits U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Queens, Brooklyn) against Manhattan attorney Wendy Long and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, who each are seeking the nomination to run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) for a full six-year term. Republicans across the state will be voting in the primary.
There are no Republican primaries for House races in Queens, but there are several for Democrats.
Voters should keep in mind that the congressional districts have changed since the last time they voted, due to reapportionment following the U.S. Census. One district, the 9th, which Turner now represents, is being eliminated. Others have been changed, in some cases by quite a lot.
The new 6th CD covers a broad swath of Queens, running from Maspeth and Ridgewood in the southwest through Forest Hills and Flushing in its central section and northern end up to Bayside and Oakland Gardens in the northeast.
It is based in part on the current 5th CD, held by Rep. Gary Ackerman, who declined to run for re-election.
Four candidates are vying for the Democratic Party nomination: state Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), city Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), state Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) and a doctor from Bayside, Robert Mittman.
The Queens Chronicle has endorsed Rory Lancman in the 6th CD primary.
The new 7th CD is nearly all in Brooklyn but does include Woodhaven and a section of Maspeth.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens), who now represents the 12th CD, is being challenged by Councilman Erik Dilan (D-Brooklyn) and Manhattan economist Dan O’Connor.
The Chronicle has not made an endorsement in this race.
The new 8th CD includes Howard Beach and much of Ozone Park and Lindenwood. The race is between state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and city Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn). The district is largely based on the 10th CD, now held by Rep. Edolphus Towns, who is not running for re-election.
The Chronicle has endorsed Hakeem Jeffries in the 8th CD primary.
The new 5th CD is derived from the existing 6th CD, held by Rep. Gregory Meeks. Meeks is being challenged by Mike Scala, a rapper and recent law school graduate who founded an advocacy group, small business owner Joseph Marthone and former City Councilman Allan Jennings.
The Chronicle has not made an endorsement in the 5th CD primary.
Other members of Congress in Queens are running unchallenged for re-election.
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