City Councilman James Gennaro fired the first salvo last week in what could be a fierce campaign to take two state Senate seats from longtime Queens Republicans.
Gennaro shot off a scathing news release - his first under the heading "Gennaro for New York" - blasting state Sens. Frank Padavan and Serphin Maltese for "ending the 2008 legislative session with a large number of critical measures left to rot in the capital."
The move was unusual in that it was billed as a joint release with Councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr., who is expected to challenge Maltese.
Neither Gennaro nor Addabbo has officially declared candidacy.
Democratic leaders have identified Maltese and Padavan as key targets in their quest to topple the Republicans' two-seat majority. They have vowed to pump money and resources into races that may help them reach that goal.
Padavan, first elected in 1972, represents northeast Queens. Maltese, first elected in 1988, represents southwest Queens.
Gennaro declined to say whether the release marked the start of his campaign. Just one day earlier, his Council office put out a news release complaining that Albany "exploits" city finances.
"What should be important to people is unfinished business in Albany," he said when asked whether this marked the launch of his campaign.
Gennaro slammed the Republicans for failing to act on legislation he said could have eased rising water rates, provided better environmental review for schools built on toxic sites and capped property taxes.
But Padavan dismissed the multipronged attack as "political claptrap."
"They're playing politics," Padavan said. "Their criticism is not only stupid, it's inaccurate."
He pointed out that issues such as water rates and property tax increases are determined at city level.
Gennaro has accused Padavan of bending to pressure from the Bloomberg administration. Padavan opposed a bill that Gennaro said is tougher on remediating former toxic school sites. But Padavan said the version of the bill that he supported is extensive and guided by state regulations.
Padavan and Maltese dismissed the criticisms as negative campaigning. Maltese said the recent legislative session was "one of the best ever."
"I'm disappointed that the negative campaigning has started so early in the summer," Maltese said.
Addabbo has pledged to not run a negative campaign. He declined to discuss the release, other than to say that if he is elected to the Senate, "I would hate to leave Albany without finishing the peoples' business."
Photo credit: Weissman for News
