And Another One Gone: Anthony Como Bows Out Of Senate Arena by Celeste Katz - Daily Politics Blog - NY Daily News

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On the heels of longtime GOP state Sen. Frank Padavan's formal concession of defeat to Democrat Tony Avella, another Queens Republican hopeful, Anthony Como, is doing the same.

Como, a former city councilman, was up against incumbent Democratic state Sen. Joseph Addabbo in SD-15. He jumped into the race relatively late, throwing his hat in the ring in June only after succumbing to pressure or pleas -- your choice -- to go the Senate route instead of grabbing for the brass ring of executive director of the city Board of Elections.

Here is Como's statement in full:

"It is with regret that I announce today I have officially ended my pursuit to represent the residents of the 15th State Senate district. It was important to me that every vote be properly counted and although there are remaining discrepancies with some of the machines, it is in the best interest of the community that we move forward and put politics aside.

"I spoke with Senator Addabbo this afternoon and congratulated him on his successful campaign.

"This was a hard fought race and I am proud of the campaign we ran. We raised issues of great importance to New Yorkers, like lowering taxes and creating a more attractive climate for small businesses. I am also hopeful that some of the government reforms I advocated during my campaign will become a reality. I'm enormously grateful to the thousands of New Yorkers who supported me and believed in my message to make government work again for the people. I remain committed to public service and look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Addabbo Wins Reelection by Matthew Hampton and Brendan Brosh- Forest Hills, NY Patch

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Senator Joe Addabbo with wife Dawn - Photo Brendan Brosh

Joe Addabbo Jr., freshman state senator from Ozone Park, retained his seat on Tuesday night over challenger Anthony Como, despite a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment that characterized the campaign season.

Addabbo, who spent much of his first two years in state office helping to put together the Aqueductdeal and attempting to create jobs in the community, saw his work pay off on election night, when he finished with a more than 5,000 vote unofficial margin over challenger Anthony Como.

Como, a former city councilman, had the backing of the entire state Republican caucus, who saw the seat as a key to taking back the state Senate.

At his party on election night at Russo's On The Bay, Addabbo said he was thrilled with the chance to return to his seat.

"I'm so grateful all the people came together," he said. "We had 500 volunteers."

Without conceding, Como addressed supporters in his office in Glendale. He struck some conciliatory tones with his somewhat crestfallen staff, but tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

"I'm very proud of the race we ran together as a family, as a team," Como said. "Many of you were here day one, many of you were here before day one….unfortunately here we're not exactly happy with the way that it went, but until all the numbers are in we're just going to wait and see."

Como pointed to some voter discrepancies and irregularities at the polling sites to give his supporters a glimmer of hope, but by the time most of them had gone home, his deficit had grown to more than 5,000 votes.

Addabbo volunteer Sean McCabe, 27, of Ozone Park, said he thought the voting system had a few problems but that ultimately the board of elections got it right.

"The new system has a few hiccups. They could get better with it," McCabe said. He also added that he was hopeful that Addabbo could help turn the economy around during his second term in Albany.

After his victory speech, Addabbo admitted that he and his colleagues have a lot of work to do.

"We have a lot of repairs that go beyond politics," Addabbo said. "When we talk about dysfunction it's unbiased."

Breaking News - Anthony Como Finally Tells the Truth!!!!

Anthony Como makes major news in this video. He finally tells the TRUTH about this election... Wow! The truth! Knew it was somewhere in there.

It can be viewed in Fullscreen 1080 HD by viewing it YouTube...

Anthony Como - Wrong for the State Senate

Like the video says... I'm sick of the negative mailers... I can't send out mail in response, but I can send out a message over YouTube.

Queens Senate Debate On "Inside City Hall" Senator Joe Addabbo and Anthony Como - NY1.com - Part 2

The race to control the State Senate continues to heat up and Republicans hope to defeat a freshman senator from the 15th District in Queens, which includes: Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village and parts of Forest Hills. The two candidates in the race -- State Senator Joseph Addabbo and his Republican challenger Anthony Como -- debated on Friday's edition of "Inside City Hall."


Part 2 - 10:48

Queens Senate Debate On "Inside City Hall" Between State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Challenger Anthony Como - NY1.com - Part 1

The race to control the State Senate continues to heat up and Republicans hope to defeat a freshman senator from the 15th District in Queens, which includes: Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village and parts of Forest Hills. The two candidates in the race -- State Senator Joseph Addabbo and his Republican challenger Anthony Como -- debated on Friday's edition of "Inside City Hall."


Part 1 - 10:21

Making Their Case Directly to the People by Bryan Yurcan - Queens Chronicle

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Assemblyman Mike Miller, top left, and Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer face challenges from Republicans Donna Marie Caltabiano, top right, and Harold Paez. Voters will have to decide

Election season is in full swing, and several candidates in south Queens races made their pitch to voters at the Ozone Park Civic Association candidates night on Tuesday.

Some of the Republican and Democratic candidates for Assembly, state Senate and Congress shared their views with residents. Several of those running in local races did not attend the event.

In fact, the only race where voters got to hear from both candidates was in the 23rd Assembly District, where incumbent Audrey Pheffer (D-Ozone Park) is facing Republican Harold Paez, a podiatrist who resides in the Rockaways.

Pheffer began by noting that many voters are frustrated that the state budget is often late, but she said in the case of this year’s, she and others in the Assembly did not agree with Gov. Paterson’s proposal and had to change parts of it.

“I couldn’t accept parts of the budget,” she said. “I won’t pass it just to say it’s on time.”

Pheffer cited the proposed tax on sugared soda drinks and cuts to the state Tuition Assistance Program as some of the governor’s plans that she didn’t agree with.

Pheffer also touted her constituent services efforts, saying her office will try and resolve any issue or problem a resident brings.

Pheffer said her legislative agenda reflects her commitment to helping the average resident, noting a bill she helped craft that provides for stricter penalties for identity theft.

Pheffer also praised the selection of Genting New York LLC to redevelop Aqueduct Racetrack into a dining and entertainment facility with 4,500 video lottery terminals.

Paez told the audience that he is running for Assembly because he wants to bring a significant change to the “dysfunctional” way Albany operates.

Paez noted the $9 billion state deficit as proof of the legislature’s reckless spending.

“That is not a good position for any state to be in,” he said.

Paez said despite being in one of the worst economic times since the Great Depression, the state government still had spending increases the last two years.

Paez said he supports a cap on property taxes, and pledged to vote against any new taxes if elected.

The candidate said he supports instituting more charter schools in the city, something he believes the legislature “was forced to do” in order to receive federal funds for the Race to the Top program.

Paez also took aim at Pheffer’s 20 years of service in the Assembly. He supports term limits and said his opponent has been part of the Albany culture for too long.

“I want to bring some common sense back to Albany,” he said. “We have to have the strength of will to change what is wrong.”

Also speaking at the event were state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), who is facing a challenge from Republican Anthony Como.

Addabbo said the state has been through “two tough years” since his election to the Senate, but was proud that the legislature did not raise property taxes during that time.

“I was given a charge to cut the spending, and that’s what we are doing,” he said.

Addabbo also touted the Aqueduct project, and said he doesn’t think the racino will lead to an increase in crime in the area.

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Glendale) told those in attendance that he is a “24-hour assemblyman” whose office is always open any time to a constituent with a problem.

Miller touted several pieces of legislation he has introduced, including one that would prevent registered sex offenders from working with children in any capacity.

Congressional candidate Asher Taub, a Republican challenging Democrat Greg Meeks in the 6th CD, said the number one issue facing the country is the federal budget deficit.

He said it is caused by borrowing on the part of the federal government since the 1930s, a trend that must stop.

Taub took aim at the healthcare reform law passed this year, which he termed “a disaster.”

His proposed ideas to reduce healthcare costs include changing the current law for medical malpractice actions so doctors can be sued only for gross negligence, not under the standard for recklessness. He said that it would cause doctors’ insurance premiums to significantly drop, and, coupled with reduction of unnecessary and expensive medical tests, could reduce health care expenditures by a significant margin.

Freshman Addabbo Seeks Another Term in Albany by Peter Mastrosimone - Queens Chronicle

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State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) believes in reforming New York’s state government, something he says has been a priority in the nearly two years he has served in Albany.

Addabbo is hoping voters of the 15th Senate District send him back to the state capital for another term to continue that work.

“I see myself as part of the solution in Albany, not part of the problem,” Addabbo said during a meeting with the Queens Chronicle editorial board last week.

Addabbo is squaring off against Republican Anthony Como, an attorney who had briefly served in the City Council.

After serving eight years in the council, Addabbo beat 10-term incumbent Republican Serphin Maltese in 2008 for the 15th District seat.

Addabbo said he was motivated to leave his council post to pursue election to the state Senate due to his disappointment in the way state government was run.

“I felt the need to go to Albany and make a change,” he said. “We should have a state government that is looked on with envy, not laughter.”

Addabbo points to several reform-minded measures the state Legislature has adopted as proof that progress is being made, including one to make it easier for a member of the minority party to introduce legislation and more transparency in how members allocate state funds. He also noted that the state’s spending increase this year is lower than the rate of inflation; only the fourth time in 30 years that has been accomplished in Albany.

Still, Addabbo believes more can be done. He pointed out that some members of the state Legislature are resistant to reform, noting that he has introduced 13 pieces of legislation dealing with campaign finance reform since he has been elected with eight of them being killed in committee.

Addabbo knows New York’s high taxes are foremost on the minds of voters, and to that end he supports a property tax cap of some kind.

“It’s a necessity for the middle class,” he said. “We want people to stay in New York City.”

Regarding the soon-to-begin Aqueduct racino project, Addabbo said that he pushed for Genting New York, the company redeveloping the old race track, to provide its own private security to patrol the area so the 106th Precinct wouldn’t be stretched too thin.

“I’ve had meetings with them to ensure the area around Aqueduct is safe,” he said.

Regarding jobs at the new facility, Addabbo said it is written in the memorandum of understanding between Genting and the state that the community would get the “lion’s share” of the jobs available.

“It’s a project that will directly impact our community, so our community should benefit the most from it,” Addabbo said, while noting that Genting has also pledged to donate 1 percent of its net profits to as yet unspecified community groups.

When asked about the legislation he was most proud of, Addabbo pointed to a bill he co-authored to halt hydrofracking in upstate watersheds, and one that would give non-combat cold war veterans the same property tax break that combat veterans receive.

Addabbo also noted Leandra’s Law, a state law making it an automatic felony on the first offense to drive drunk with a person under the age of 15 inside a vehicle, as another one he was instrumental in forming.

“I’m very proud about helping to create that bill,” he said.

Addabbo said his charge is to represent the interests of the residents of the 15th District, and not to appease party leaders or special interest groups.

“I’m compassionate about the people issues,” he said. “I answer to my constituents, not the lobbyists.”

Petition Snafu Threatens To End Lynn Nunes Council Candidacy At BoE by Chris Bragg - City Hall News

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Lynn Nunes’ Council race may be over before it even began.

Just days before the end of his unsuccessful State Senate primary against Shirley Huntley, Nunes irked some of his backers by simultaneously applying for matching funds in the Council race to replace the deceased Tom White. At the same time, Nunes’ sister, Elaine, petitioned onto the ballot for the Council race, with the unspoken intention of ceding the spot to her brother via her committee on vacancies if the Senate campaign was unsuccessful.

And so the plan went into motion last week, after Nunes fell to Huntley by a 2-1 margin in Tuesday’s primary.

But it too seems to be falling short of expectations.
The New York City Board of Elections is initiating prima facie objections against the petitions of both Lynn and Elaine Nunes for the special election, based on the party name they created for the purposes of the election: Working Harder for Queens.

The problem is simple, and is one that has cut short special election candidacies before: their new party name is similar to that of the existing Working Families Party. And according to Board of Elections rules, the name of a party used on designating petitions cannot share all or any part of the name of an existing political party. (Huntley, as it happens, received the WFP line for the Senate race earlier in the summer.)

The Board of Elections considered a very similar issue just last February, for the special election fill the Council seat Joe Addabbo vacated to go to the State Senate. Glenn DiResto, a former police officer who had petitioned for the seat as the candidate of the Families First party was booted from the ballot because he had used the other operative word in the WFP’s title.

Eventually, DiResto was allowed back on the ballot by a judge, but only because the Board had given another candidate in the race the chance to change the name of their party after making a similar error.

In a phone conversation early Monday, Nunes said he was not sure if he would be running for the Council, and did not mention the BOE snafu.

Nunes did not return subsequent calls for comment.

J.C. Polanco, the Board’s Republican commissioner from the Bronx, said a BOE hearing
would be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28 regarding Nunes’ petitions. The special election is set to be held on the day of the general election, Nov. 2.

Already, 22 general objections have been filed in the race against nearly every one of the dozen potential candidates. A general objector named Joseph Thomas Jr. filed objections against Elaine Nunes, while general objectors Sharon Smith and Troy L. Jackson filed objections against both Elaine and Lynn Nunes.

Between them, Smith and Jackson appear to have lodged general objections at least once against every candidate except for Ruben Wills, the favorite of Huntley and Assembly Member Vivian Cook. Wills, who is running as the candidate of A Better Way, had his petitions challenged by Jaime Nunes.

General objections were also filed against the Taxpayers line petitions filed by Michael Allegretti, who lost the GOP Congressional primary to face Rep. Mike McMahon last week, as well as the Taxpayers petitions of Nicole Malliotakis, hoping to unseat Assembly Member Janele Hyer-Spencer. New lines with names playing off the word “taxes” appear to be somewhat taxing themselves: the Tax Cuts Now! line of Anthony Como, running against State Sen. Joe Addabbo, was challenged by three people, and the Taxed Enough line of Vince Tabone, running for the seat being vacated by Ann-Margaret Carrozza, was challenged by two people.

Maltese Bids to be city Elections Chief by Michael Cusenza - Queens Chronicle -

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Months after his protege backed out of a bid to run the city Board of Elections in order to challenge this fall state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), former state Sen. Serphin Maltese has formally tossed his hat into the ring to become executive director of the BOE.

Maltese, who beginning in 1988 was elected nine times to lead the 15th District, last Thursday and Friday forwarded an e-mail, with biographical information attached, to both Republican and Democratic commissioners on the board indicating his interest in being considered for the top spot. He also this week e-mailed BOE President Julie Dent and Deputy Executive Director George Gonzalez detailing support from Queens County Republican Party Chairman Phil Ragusa, Queens County Republican BOE Commissioner Judith Stupp and state Sen. Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn).

"I’ve always been interested in the position,” Maltese, 77, told the Chronicle Tuesday. “I thought it would be a challenge. That’s why I decided to do it.”

Maltese served the communities of Forest Hills Gardens, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, parts of Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Sunnyside and Woodside until he lost his Senate seat to Addabbo, then a city councilman, in 2008. Anthony Como, once Maltese’s chief counsel, is running to unseat the freshman Addabbo, but only after Como withdrew his own bid to lead the BOE. Como changed his mind regarding a campaign for his mentor’s senate seat twice in the span of two days in June.

Like Como, Maltese cited the upcoming debut of new voting machines as one of the main reasons he launched the bid.

“We have a very unique system here in New York — a good system, a fair system and over the years it has worked,” Maltese said. “This is the most difficult election cycle ever.”

The BOE is a bipartisan administrative body composed of 10 commissioners, two from each borough. According to a City Hall News report, the board has not had an executive director since Marcus Cedarqvist resigned in February. In order to secure the $172,000 per year gig, Maltese must get six of the commissioners to vote for him.

“Some Democrats and Republicans indicated to me I’d be a good choice, mainly because I’m not interested in a future elected office,” he said. “I’ve always gotten along with Democrats and Republicans — you have to in Queens County.”

Maltese, a native of Corona and Korean War veteran, has been an election attorney since 1961 and spent seven years as chairman of the Senate Elections Committee, a position now held by Addabbo. He holds no post with the QGOP, but still is the chairman of the board of Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, where he has served pro bono for 30 years.

His last day in political office was Dec. 31, 2008, but Maltese said he’s “kept a hand in” borough affairs since then.

“It’s very hard after you’ve been in politics for 40 years to not be involved,” he said.

Anthony Como Must Pay $13,000 Back to NYC CFB by Chris Bragg - City Hall News

STATEMENT RE ANTHONY COMO'S ABUSE OF CAMPAIGN CASH FROM ERIC BLANKENBAKER, DSCC SPOKESPERSON

The recent Campaign Finance Board decision fining Anthony Como $12,484 for violating campaign finance law is yet another example of this career politician's utter disregard for the law and New York' s overburdened taxpayers. Anthony Como only announced his candidacy for the State Senate after losing out on two patronage jobs; one with the Board of Elections and one as a commissioner of NYC Housing Authority.

The people of Queens deserve better than an opportunistic, unemployed politician as their State Senator. New Yorkers need a State Senator who cares about them, abides by the law and is truly interested in improving our schools, lowering taxes and creating jobs. Anthony Como has shown once again that he does not meet those criteria.

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Former New York City Council Member Anthony Como, a Republican who is running for State Senate in Queens against Joe Addabbo, must return nearly $13,000 in unspent and misspent funds to the New York City Campaign Finance Board, according to a July 22 audit released by the CFB.

The charges stem from his losing 2008 general election Council loss to Elizabeth Crowley. The repayment includes $6,800 that was spent impermissibly on phone and copy machine contracts for his campaign office that spanned well beyond Election Day, repayments of unspent campaign funds, and $100 spent on a newspaper ad for the Holy Child Jesus Team Drama Club that the CFB deemed not campaign related. The campaign was also assessed $500 in penalties.

Como, an attorney, and his Council campaign treasurer, Laura Schreiner, are personally liable to pay off the nearly $13,000 balance, which the Board must receive by August 25, according to the audit.

Como’s Council re-election campaign’s most recent CFB disclosure, filed in January 2010, showed only $5,200 in his account. After an inquiry from City Hall, Como said he would double check whether he had enough money in the account to pay the $13,000 balance.

“I’ve been busy with the State Senate campaign, but I’m going to find out,” he said. “I believe the money should be in the account.”

Eric Friedman, a spokesman for the New York City Campaign Finance Board, said that Como would likely be allowed to pay off his remaining debt through his State Senate campaign’s account.

But there is not yet enough money there to pay off the balance either: according his July 15 filing, Como had raised $17,600, had spent $13,700, and had only $3,900 on hand.

Update 4:44 p.m.

John Conklin, a spokesman for the State Board of Elections, confirmed that Como could transfer money, if he so desires, from his State Senate account to pay off debt from his Council campaign.

Senators Addabbo & Huntley and Assemblymembers Miller & Clark Face Rivals by Howard Koplowitz - YourNabe.com

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Titus Opponent Drops Out of Race - Smith Runs Unopposed


Election season has been heating up this summer in Queens as several political hopefuls announced their challenges against incumbents in the state Legislature.

The July filing with the state Campaign Finance Board revealed that state Assemblywoman Michelle Titus (D-Far Rockaway) and state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) will be facing competition during this fall’s Democratic primary.

But political newcomer Okenfe Lebarty, who has been listed in the campaign finance database as Titus’ challenger for the 31st Assembly District, which includes Far Rockaway, Rosedale and parts of South Ozone Park, announced his departure from the race early Tuesday morning.

In an e-mail sent out to supporters, Lebarty, a West African immigrant who went to Far Rockaway High School and currently works as the executive director for the University Student Senate for the City University of New York, said his campaign finances had prevented him from continuing in the race.

He raised $3,385 for his campaign so far and spent $4,213, according to campaign finance records. Titus has collected $4,130 for her re-election and spent $3,188, records show.

“Due to lack of resources, we cannot maintain a vigorous and robust campaign, hence our path to victory will not be attainable,” Lebarty wrote in an e-mail.

Huntley, who was elected in 2007, has so far amassed $5,000 in contributions and spent $324 for her re-election bid for the 10th Senate District, which includes Jamaica, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and parts of Forest Hills.

Records show Lynn Nunes, who was six votes shy of defeating City Councilman Thomas White (D-South Ozone Park) during last year’s Democratic primary, has dwarfed the incumbent in both contributions and expenditures, campaign finance records show. The 25-year-old candidate has received $155,390 in contributions and spent $29,085 on his campaign so far, according to campaign finance records.

Nunes contributed the most to his run with a $10,000 donation to his campaign, according to the records.

Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), the only one of Queens’ five-member Senate delegation who did not have an opponent listed on the campaign finance board website as of the July 15 filing deadline, has amassed $279,150 in contributions and spent $240,441 so far. The largest contribution came from David Rich, a Manhattan lobbyist for the Greater New York Hospital Association, records show.

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Although Clyde Vanel has announced his run against Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) in the 33rd Assembly District, which includes Queens Village, Cambria Heights and parts of Bellerose, he was not listed on the campaign finance database as of press time Tuesday. The Democratic challenger said he has filed with the campaign finance board and is still committed to his run for the Legislature.

Clark has so far raised $900 for her re-election campaign and spent $1,826 so far, records show. Vanel is listed on the city Board of Elections’ list of candidates who have amassed signatures to appear on the September ballot.

In southern Queens, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) is facing a re-election challenge in the 15th Senate District from former Councilman Anthony Como, a Republican.

The district covers Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and South Ozone Park.

Addabbo has raised $126,355 this year while Como has raised $17,657, according to campaign finance records.

The first-term senator has spent more than $70,000 and Como has spent more than $13,000.

Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven), who won a special election last year to replace disgraced former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, is being challenged on two fronts in his quest to win re-election.

Nick Comaianni, a member of Community Board 9 and Community Educational Council 24, is running in the Democratic primary against Miller and Forest Park Senior Center Executive Director Donna Caltabiano is running as a Republican.

Miller has raised $26,655 this year and Caltabiano has raised $4,875. There were no fund-raising totals available yet for Comaianni.

Addabbo Distrusts Paterson, and Espada's on the Ropes by Peter Mastrosimone - Queens Chronicle

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Reflecting the terrible state of relations between many politicians in Albany and the distrust lawmakers have of Gov. David Paterson in particular, state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) last week revealed that he simply doesn’t trust the state’s chief executive anymore.

Addabbo was discussing the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking for short, with the Queens Chronicle when he said he couldn’t rely on the state Department of Environmental Conservation to determine if the controversial method of natural gas extraction is truly safe. The DEC is of course an executive branch agency that answers to the governor. Addabbo wants a moratorium on hydrofracking until it’s fully studied and determined to be safe or not.

“I’m sorry,” the senator added. “Anything the governor says, I don’t necessarily believe in.”

Ouch. And that’s from a freshman senator in Paterson’s own party.

Addabbo had plenty more to say during a wide-ranging, impromptu interview he granted several members of the Chronicle news staff last Thursday.

Asked about gay marriage, which he voted against last year, citing the feelings of about 75 percent of his constituents, he said that before it comes up again, he’ll conduct a reliable poll in his district to gauge public opinion. Before the last vote he just did an “impromptu” survey, he said. Next time he’ll also run the poll’s wording by members of the gay community.

“With the gay marriage issue, they didn’t like my impromptu poll,” Addabbo said. “I said, ‘When it comes up again, we’ll do a proper poll and the gay community can look at the questions.”

Addabbo is a centrist who represents a relatively conservative district. In his first run for re-election to the Senate, he’ll be facing Republican Anthony Como, the attorney who briefly held a City Council seat he then lost to Elizabeth Crowley last year.

Como waffled on whether he’d challenge Addabbo for some time — even admitting to the Chronicle that he would not run if hired for a six-figure job running the city Board of Elections, something pols usually keep quiet about. It’s hard to see how a candidate who could not even hold a council seat against a newcomer will beat someone with the reputation and name recognition wielded by Addabbo.

That’s all the more true when the top of the state Republican ticket is as weak as it will be in November, when former Rep. Rick Lazio will tilt at windmills by challenging state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for the governorship. Despite his frequent, solidly Republican statements, Lazio’s campaign has been lackluster at best. He even managed to get on the bad side of Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently by suggesting that those behind the mosque planned for Ground Zero should be investigated. Although some are not happy about the planned mosque, many saw that as an attack on religious freedom.

Just about the polar opposite to Addabbo is his fellow Democratic Sen. Pedro Espada of the Bronx, who is under investigation for allegedly enriching himself and his family with taxpayer dollars, and whom the Democratic Party wants to get rid of.

Espada played the race and religion cards this week, claiming during a press conference that God is on his side and declaring, “If you look brown and you’re an immigrant, you’re not supposed to have power.”

The senator is a native of Puerto Rico. He’s also someone who has directed millions of dollars in public funding to a healthcare network that paid members of his family handsomely. Saying the investigations of his activities are based on ethnic bias is unlikely to get him any further than it did the supporters of Aqueduct Entertainment Group, the Queens-based company that won and then lost the chance to redevelop and operate the Ozone Park racetrack.

AEG has gone to court over the state’s refusal to give it the Aqueduct contract. Espada will be in court soon too, but unlike AEG, he won’t be the plaintiff.

Frank Padavan Scores Independence Line For State Senate Race In Queens, But Anthony Como Is Blocked By Chris Bragg - City Hall News

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In his attempt to hold off former New York City Council Member Tony Avella this year, State Sen. Frank Padavan will have the crucial Independence Party line.

But fellow Queens Republican Anthony Como, who is running against State Sen. Joe Addabbo, will not.

The party’s executive committee officially submitted its endorsements on Monday.

Both riled members of the State Independence Party by using members of the party’s rival New York City faction to gatherer their petition signatures. Padavan was pulled from the precipice thanks to his longstanding ties with party chair Frank MacKay and his close relationship with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an Independence ally and benefactor.

But in Como’s race, the line went to Addabbo.

“I was able to keep one of them off,” said Michael Zumbluskus, a downstate executive committee member who was upset with the campaigns’ use of rival signature gatherers, and claimed victory from keeping Como off the line.

Zumbluskus said that the decision was also helped by Addabbo’s campaign carrying petitions for Independence Party state committee members, while Como’s had not.

Como campaign spokesman James McClelland sought to downplay the development, which could make it difficult for Como to win in a Queens district with a heavy Democratic enrollment advantage. McClelland said that Como’s campaign met Sunday night after learning of the news and decided they still would be viable going forward.

“It’s not a blow to the campaign, because this year the anti-incumbent sentiment is so strong,” he said. “In the past, the Independence Party was more of an asset.”

Though Padavan is seen as having a close relationship with Bloomberg, Como does not. After losing a Council election in 2008, Como voted against the term-limits extension. He says he was later offered a job by the Bloomberg administration as a commissioner at the New York City Housing Authority, which prompted him to skip a planned reelection bid for his old Council seat. But the job never materialized.

To those watching the situation, Bloomberg’s fingerprints are on some other party endorsements as well. According to Zumbluskus, Mark Pollard—a pro-charter school candidate running a Democratic primary gainst State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery in Brooklyn—also got the Independence nod.

State. Sen Toby Ann Stavisky, meanwhile, got the Independence nod despite the support of Queens County executive committee member Michael Niebauer for Democratic challenger Isaac Sasson.

Niebauer is one of a number of executive committee members around the state disheartened that local candidate picks got trumped by state party leadership.

“They never make us look good here in Queens,” Niebauer said. “We’ll see what happens. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Como Throws Hat in Race Against Addabbo by Howard Koplowitz - YourNabe.com

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State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (l.) is being challenged by former City Councilman Anthony Como. Photos by Christina Santucci

Just as it looked as if state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) would be free of opponents for re-election in a contentious western Queens district, former City Councilman Anthony Como,a Republican, said he would challenge the one-term senator.

Como, a former city Board of Elections commissioner who briefly held a Council seat now occupied by City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) following a special election in 2008, said he had been grappling with whether to run against Addabbo.

“It was something that I had been contemplating for some time,” Como said in a phone interview Tuesday.

Como was being considered for the $170,000 a year executive director position at the city Board of Elections, but said he withdraw from consideration last week to mount a bid against Addabbo.

“With all the calls, texts and e-mails I received, I changed my mind,” Como said.

Como said having a Democratic governor and Democrats being in control of the state Legislature are not benefitting people in the 15 Senate District, which includes Howard Beach, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village and Ridgewood.

“We see that the one-party tyranny of the state Legislature just hasn’t worked,” Como said. “We have a budget that has been dragging this entire state down. This is not a game. This is people’s lives. This is children’s lives and senior’s lives.”

But Addabbo said the Democrats are not to blame for the state’s economic situation, pointing out that 39 other states have budget deficits.

“I don’t think the party has anything to do with it,” he said. “

Como pointed to his accomplishments during his brief stint on the Council, including speeding up a Ridgewood landmark project, getting a downzoning of Middle Village approved and securing funds for seniors centers that were threatened to be closed, to show that he is a viable candidate.

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Como said there is a “lack of leadership” in the district and that Addabbo should have done more to stand up to leaders in his own party.

“We need a person that will stand up,” he said.

“People have felt that there is a time for change and there is definitely time for someone to lead this senate district than what has been happening for a year and a half,” Como said.

Addabbo said he does not vote along party lines, noting he took heat for his vote against gay marriage and he does stand up to leaders in his party.

“The reason you don’t hear about it in the papers is because I do it professionally,” he said.

Como Backs Out, Then Returns to Race by Michael Cusenza - Queens Chronicle

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Republican Anthony Como, right, who briefly served as a city councilman, will meet incumbent state Sen. Joe Addabbo in this fall’s election for the 15th District.

He’s in. No, he’s out. On third thought, he’s in.

Anthony Como decided Monday to commit to a campaign to unseat incumbent state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) in the fall, mere hours after the Republican pulled out of the race to focus on earning the executive director position at the Board of Elections, City Hall News reported.

Como told the Queens Chronicle Tuesday morning that after being inundated with phone calls, texts and e-mails from family members, friends, former constituents, state Senate Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, he had to reconsider.

“It’s really an overwhelming experience to know that I have their support and their backing and their consideration — not only to run, but they know that I can win and do a great job in the Senate representing them,” Como said. “I know I made the right decision to run.”

Como, a Middle Village resident who served as president of the city Board of Elections, had been coveting the executive director job, which reportedly pays $172,000 per year, nearly $100,000 more than the salary of a state senator. He said the debut of new voting machines this fall was an impetus for vying for the top spot.

“I think that my experiences and my curriculum vitae would be a tremendous asset to that agency,” Como said. “But after I saw the support behind me [for the Senate run], I knew it was something I also had to consider.”

Como, who briefly represented the 30th City Council District in 2008 after winning a special election for the seat Dennis Gallagher was forced to resign, has the backing of the Queens County Republican Party. QGOP Chairman Phil Ragusa Tuesday said he was “delighted” to hear that the former borough assistant district attorney had changed his mind.

“This was difficult decision for him,” Ragusa said. “I feel he made the right one, because I think he has a great chance of winning.”

Asked if voters would consider in November his vacillating in June, Como said he believes that turning down the chance to become executive director will only enhance his standing among 15th District residents.

“I think it actually reinforces the fact of how much I care about the community I’ve lived in all my life,” he said. “People know what I stand for in the community, based on my record in the council, even in my short time being there.”

Como said that although he regards Addabbo as “a good guy — I’m not going to talk bad about him,” he “absolutely” knows if elected he’d do a better job.

“There are other districts in other parts of the state that are not suffering as much as we are, and there’s a reason for that,” he said. “I’m tired of hospitals closing down. We’re not getting the monies that are supposed to be brought back to the communities; we’re not getting the services we deserve. Enough is enough.”

Addabbo said he “takes every opponent seriously” and touted his efforts since taking office last year, adding that “the accessibility of a full-time senator who is focused solely on the role and job of a senator certainly is what the people have right now.”

Addabbo defeated then-incumbent Sen. Serf Maltese in 2008. At one time, Como served as Maltese’s chief counsel, and Maltese said “it’s like seeing my son do good, so I couldn’t be happier.”

Additionally, Maltese said he likes his protege’s chances in the fall “especially in the present climate, that people are very unhappy with incumbents and they’re very unhappy, specifically, with the state Legislature.”

Como indicated he’ll be running on the Republican, Independent and Conservative party lines and is looking forward to an exciting campaign.

“It’s going to be a victorious time in November, that I can guarantee,” he said.

Como Flips Decision, Will Challenge Addabbo For State Senate by Edward-Isaac Dovere - City Hall News

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J.C. Polanco is a Possible Republican Replacement for GOP Pick to Run Board of Elections

What a difference 30 hours can make...

In the space of that time, former Council Member Anthony Como went from confirming with City Hall on Sunday afternoon that he would not be a State Senate candidate, to being convinced by a deluge of calls from some of the state’s top Republicans, his county chair and constituents that he would, in fact, begin collecting petitions to challenge Joe Addabbo in Queens as early as Tuesday.

“It’s 10:30 at night, I’m talking to you, and I basically an hour-and-a-half ago decided that this city and state can use me in the 15^th Senate District,” Como told City Hall late into the evening on Monday.

Como attributed his decision in large part to the response to a City Hall article from Monday morning that explained what had been his decision to skip the Senate race to focus on trying to be selected as the new executive director of the city Board of Elections. Though Como said state GOP chair Ed Cox was not among those who reached out, Queens GOP chair Phil Ragusa was, as were State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC) chair Tom Libous and Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Golden.

“They seriously hoped I would run, seriously hoped I would reconsider, which I have,” he said.

Como said they reaffirmed pledges for extensive financial and political support in what he has been told will be their priority race for the fall in the fight what could prove the crucial swing seat in determining whether Democrats are able to keep their slim majority in the Senate.

He was also reminded of SRCC polls that he said show him close to Addabbo, and in some cases, beating him.

“There’s been polls taken, and those polls, I’ve been informed, have me leading the incumbent, Joe Addabbo at this time,” Como said. “I think it was about four points, if I remember correctly.”

Como has not been a candidate since his last race for Council, in November 2008, when he lost the seat he had won in a special election just five months earlier. He said he has no lingering campaign operation, and campaign finance records show him with a $0 balance in his Council campaign account.

As of Monday, Como had no active campaign operation together, but he said he was planning to file the paperwork to create one and open a fundraising account shortly.

He said he had spent part of Monday evening calling the commissioners who had backed him for the Board of Elections job, apologizing to them for backing out on the promises he had just the day before said he could not break.

According to Como, his supporters for the executive director job backed his decision.

“As they thought about it, they decided that it may be best for all parties,” Como said. “They were disappointed in one act, but happy and proud in the next.”

Asked whether his withdrawal should lead to a rush of support for the top job to longtime Board deputy director George Gonzalez, the Democratic-backed executive director candidate, Como said, “I honestly don’t.”

Como framed the argument partially in partisan terms, and took another swipe at Gonzalez’s management of the Board in the four months since Marcus Cederqvist resigned.

“I believe it should definitely remain a Republican spot. There’s no reason the top spot should go to a Democrat,” Como said. “I don’t know who the replacement will be, but I think George had an opportunity to prove himself and he didn’t.”

One possible replacement is J.C. Polanco, the Republican commissioner from the Bronx who serves as secretary of the board—and whose day job is to be the director of Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb’s New York City office—was already making calls late Monday to gauge support among the county leaders and fellow commissioners.

Referring to the stalemate among the 10 commissioners that has frozen the appointment process since February, Polanco said, “The question is, can we get to six votes?”

Polanco said that he was planning to speak to his family, Kolb and his fellow commissioners about pursuing the position in the days ahead, but expressed confidence that he would be able to rally enough support to win the backing of a majority of commissioners.

“I’m not interested in the stalemate,” he said. “I’m really just interested in having a conversation with my colleagues and seeing what they think the future of the board is. “

Polanco, who holds an MBA and JD from Fordham, is also an adjunct business professor at the Center for Ethnic Studies'at CUNY’s Borough of Manhattan Community College. As he likes to remind people, he was a bat boy for the Yankees as a child.

But his Republican registration might be one of the most important qualifications for the job as executive director of the Board, Polanco explained.

Given the massive Democratic registration advantage in the five boroughs, Polanco said, “to have a Republican executive director speaks volumes about bipartisanship in this city.”

Team Addabbo's Having None Of That Como Smacktalk by Celeste Katz - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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I unfortunately couldn't reach a rep for state Sen. Joseph Addabbo late last night about Anthony Como's last-minute decision to challenge him, but man, oh, man, did Team Addabbo have something to say today.

Last night when I spoke to Como, he called Addabbo a "good guy" who has his respect -- but said he just hasn't done enough for the 15th District in Queens and "people have had enough."

"It's not surprising that after losing for City Council and losing for Assembly, Anthony Como would step up to lose for state Senate," scoffed Addabbo spokesman Doug Forand.

"His history is that of the worst kind of insider politics that the voters are tired of. His recent efforts to try to secure a patronage job at the Board of Elections, which apparently have failed, [are] still no justification for running for an office he obviously is not interested in taking."

At the same time, Forand didn't suggest Addabbo would simply roll over his newly declared Republican challenger:

"You take every challenge seriously and the voters deserve a fair choice, but Sen. Addabbo's record of delivering for Queens families and passing meaningful reforms in Albany are going to stand head and shoulders above Anthony Como's history of backroom politics."