Two candidates in the June 3 special election to replace ex-City Councilman Dennis Gallagher backed out hours before a debate this week in what was seen as a political snub by the event’s host.
Democrat Elizabeth Crowley and Republican Anthony Como had pledged to attend the Juniper Park Civic Association’s debate Tuesday night, but both bailed out via phone message shortly before it was to begin, said association President Bob Holden.
Both candidates ditched the debate in order to meet with the editorial board of a Queens weekly newspaper, the candidates confirmed to the Daily News.
Holden said the pair feared being asked tough questions.
“To me, this is disgraceful,” Holden told the 150-person crowd at Our Lady of Hope in Middle Village. “They made a commitment in writing to us, the neighborhood, and then at the last minute they renege. What does that tell you about their character?”
Crowley chose the option that would “allow her to communicate with a broader audience,” her campaign manager, Alyson Grant, said in a statement.
Como said he chose the newspaper meeting for the same reason when faced with a conflict after the debate was rescheduled.
Como and Crowley’s absence left only former Republican Councilman Tom Ognibene and Democrat Charles Ober to answer questions.
Kew Gardens lawyer Joseph Suraci - who had previously campaigned in the nonpartisan 30th Council District race - failed to secure enough signatures to appear on the ballot.
Of the no-show pair, Crowley took the hardest hits, as Ognibene and Ober blasted her for campaign finance violations in her unsuccessful 2001 bid against Gallagher, who resigned from office in April after pleading guilty to sex-abuse charges.
Crowley was fined $56,267 for exceeding spending limits and for failing to explain allegations of money order fraud, according to a 2005 Campaign Finance Board audit. She is currently ineligible to receive public matching funds in the special election.
Ober called Crowley’s campaign indiscretions arrogant. But Ognibene was far more critical, accusing her of manipulating laws designed to protect taxpayers.
Grant said in a statement that Crowley is adhering to campaign spending limits while continuing to pay off her 2001 debt.
Ognibene said candidates should not be allowed to run for office again until they pay off all campaign finance penalties.
“It’s an outrage,” he said. “If you owe a parking ticket, see how long you can go owing the city $56,000.”
The Campaign Finance Board announced Wednesday the first payment of public matching funds to qualifying candidates. Como received $75,192 while Ognibene got $58,351.
Source: NY Daily News
