Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Queens Residents Vote To Replace Disgraced Politician - NY1

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A special election is being held today in Queens to fill the City Council seat vacated by Dennis Gallagher.

Voters in the 30th District will choose from among four candidates: Republican Anthony Como, a former counsel to State Senator Serph Maltese; Republican Thomas Ognibene, who used to hold the seat until forced out by term limits; Democrat Elizabeth Crowley, who ran against Gallagher in 2001; and Democrat Charles Ober, an openly-gay civic leader.

The winner will serve out the remainder of the year.

Another election will be held in November to serve out the rest of Gallagher's term.

Gallagher resigned in April as part of a plea deal on misdemeanor sex abuse charges for assaulting a woman inside his Middle Village office.

The district, which comprises Middle Village to Ridgewood, is one of the city's few Republican strongholds.

Polls are open until 9 p.m.