Assembly Member Miller Fights Back Against Sex Offender Bill Criticisms by Howard Koplowitz - Queens Campaigner

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This seems to me to be a baseless, fact-less attack by Samaroo...

Assemblyman Michael Miller’s (l.) campaign says Farouk Samaroo’s criticism of his sex offender bill is “insulting” to Queens families.

State Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven) said an attack launched against him by a supporter of his primary opponent, Nick Comaianni, on a sex offender bill he sponsored was full of inaccuracies and denied claims that the legislation was watered down due to concerns from special interest groups.

Farouk Samaroo, who co-founded a Democratic club with Comaianni, said in a letter sent to TimesLedger Newspapers that the bill, which would require employers who hire workers who supervise or come into contact with children to run a sex offender check on prospective employees, is a “complete fraud.”

Miller’s campaign said, “Nick Comaianni’s campaign supporters should be ashamed of themselves for criticizing a bill that will protect New York’s families and children. It is a shame that Mr. Comaianni has resorted to negative campaigning and baseless attacks, which is an insult to the families of Queens.”

Comaianni said he had nothing to do with Samaroo’s statement.

Samaroo claimed the first version of the bill would have required the check to be done by all businesses, but was changed June 15 to just businesses whose workers deal with children because Miller raised “tens of thousands of dollars from his new Albany lobbyist and special interests friends.”

Campaign finance records showed Miller raised $15,000 from corporate donors and about $11,000 so far from individuals.

“It’s not like [Miller’s] getting massive corporate dollars at all,” a source with Miller’s campaign said.

The source said the bill has bipartisan support and no businesses were lobbying against the legislation.

Samaroo also claimed the bill would only affect 1 percent of businesses in the state, but he could not be reached to find out where he got that statistic.
Miller’s campaign said the bill was amended not because of special interests, but because it was “too expansive legislatively to make it work out.”

“The bill was still very vast in its scope. This was the best bill they could come up with and it’s still a groundbreaking bill,” the source said. “As far as where Farouk got the 99 percent thing, I honestly don’t know. I think he pulled it out of thin air. Farouk’s two main points, both are completely on their face invalid.”

Under the bill, which is currently in the Assembly Codes Committee, employers who do not run the sex offender registry check would be fined up to $100.

Comaianni Supporter Calls Miller Racially Insensitive - YourNabe.com...

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Ex-Candidate Samaroo Says Assemblyman's Staff Lacks Minorities, But Miller Denies the Charge

An Indo-Guyanese supporter of a candidate hoping to oust state Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven) is claiming Miller is insensitive to minority communities in part because he alleged the assemblyman has no minorities working in his office.

But Miller said those assertions are outright false, saying two of his eight staffers are not white and that the claims by Farouk Samaroo were made out of bitterness that the freshman legislator won the election to replace disgraced ex-Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio in September.

Samaroo is the co-founder of the Southwest Queens Democratic Club with Nick Comaianni, who intends to challenge Miller in September’s Democratic primary.

Samaroo, a former staffer to ex-Flushing Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, was a candidate in the race to replace Seminerio until Gov. David Paterson called for a special election for the seat.

Under special election rules, only candidates supported by the borough’s political parties are guaranteed a spot on the ballot and Miller gained the support of the Democratic and Conservative parties. Others looking to get on the ballot had to amass 1,500 signatures within six days of Paterson calling the special election. Samaroo dropped his candidacy because he believed the petition process was too difficult.

“All [Samaroo is] trying to do is make an issue out of last year,” said Miller, noting he has a Latino and a black staffer in his office.

Miller said he also works with Latchman Buddhai, an Indo-Guyanese civic leader in Richmond Hill.

“I don’t exclude anybody,” the assemblyman said.

Samaroo said Miller does not have an Indian American on his staff and said it was insulting the assemblyman has a staffer with the title “envoy to the Hispanic community.”

“It shows the degree of contempt and that he’s obviously out of his element,” Samaroo said.

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But Miller spokesman Nick Roloson said there is no such title.

“They’re trying to make an issue out of things that aren’t an issue,” Roloson said.

Samaroo also criticized Miller for choosing not to retain Seminerio’s Richmond Hill office, which he said the state is still paying rent on, and moving the district space to Glendale, out of the South Asian community, but the assemblyman said that is also false.

Miller said the state has a one-month buyout of every lease it holds and that he notified the state he would not be keeping Seminerio’s Richmond Hill office as soon as he took office.

He said he then moved temporarily to Seminerio’s Glendale office, but then relocated the district office to Woodhaven.

“I wanted to make sure that my district office is in the middle of the district,” Miller said. “I knew there’d be people like Farouk making comments like that.”

The district encompasses Glendale, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Woodhaven and Ridgewood.

“If anyone has any questions about anything, please contact my office and we’ll tell you the truth,” Miller said.

Former Opponents Join Forces In Immigrant Primary Challenge To Mike Miller By Chris Bragg - City Hall News

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When Gov. David Paterson reversed course last summer and decided to call a special election to replace now-jailed Assembly Member Anthony Seminerio, three candidates who wanted to run in a Democratic primary for the seat were forced out of the race.

The special election instead allowed the Queens Democratic Party to get its favored candidate for the seat, Mike Miller, on the Democratic line and avoid a contested primary. Miller went on to easily win a special election victory in the southwest Queens district over a Republican opponent.

Now, two of the Democratic candidates who could not run last year are teaming up to try ousting Miller in the fall. And Miller is not the only person who has raised their ire: they claim that the circumstances surrounding the special election were all part of a political deal to help Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.

Nick Comaianni, president of Community Education Council District 24, will announce his primary challenge against Miller at a meeting of the newly-formed Southwest Queens Democratic Club on May 6, he said.

Comaianni said he would draw on support of the parents he has come to know as the local school board president, as well as the sizable Indian and Latino communities who he says felt disenfranchised by the special election maneuvering last year.

“They don’t like it when a few people out of 125,000 get to determine who represents them in Albany,” Comaianni said.

In January, Comaianni founded the Southwest Queens Democratic Club with Farouk Samaroo, a young Afghan war veteran who, like Comaianni, wanted to run to replace Seminerio. The club had some 45 people at their first meeting, a number they attributed to anger over the special election.

In fact, Samaroo said the club will try to run a candidate not only for Assembly this year, but for every district leader, state committee, judicial delegate and county committee seat in the 38^th Assembly district, which covers Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Woodhaven

Samaroo asserted that the minority populations who make up the majority of the primary electorate were left behind last year by a deal cut between the Queens Democratic Party and a small group of mostly white, conservative Democrats in Glendale, who wanted Miller to replace Seminerio.

In exchange, according to Samaroo, these conservative Democrats promised to support Council Member Elizabeth Crowley—who was running for re-election against Republican Tom Ognibene—and who is the cousin of Queens Democratic Party chair Joe Crowley.

“The Hispanic and Indian populations got sacrificed for a little political deal for Liz Crowley,” Samaroo said. “Frankly, we’re a little upset about it.”

A source close to the Miller’s campaign last year echoed the idea that the special election had been called in order to help Elizabeth Crowley.

But Miller said that the accusations were false and part of a personal vendetta Comaianni has against Crowley.

“Nick has a problem with Elizabeth Crowley and every waking moment seems to think Elizabeth is doing things against him,” Miller said.

Miller said that the leadership of the South Asian community was, in fact, backing him and that he had brought on a part-time staffer to serve as an envoy to the Hispanic community.

He also said that if Samaroo and Comaianni had truly wanted to run in the special election, they could have petitioned onto the ballot and run as independents.

“The only people who were upset about the special election were Mr. Comaianni and Mr. Samaroo,” he said.

Elizabeth Crowley and Miller recently formed their own club, the 38th Assembly Regular Democratic Club, in order to mobilize a base of grassroots support.

If Albert Baldeo, another candidate knocked out by the special election last year also decides to run against Miller, it could cut into Comaianni’s support. Samaroo, however, said he had privately gotten Baldeo’s assurance several weeks ago that he would not run. Samaroo said he expected Baldeo to instead run for a district leader spot.
Reached for comment, Baldeo said he was not sure if he would run for the Assembly district, and declined to elaborate on his thinking.

If Miller makes it through the primary, he will also face a general election challenge. Republicans are running Donna Caltabiano, a party state committee member and senior center director, for the seat. Caltabiano lost the 2009 special election to Miller by 30 points.

Comaianni acknowledged that beating Miller now would be more difficult than last year, when Miller was not an incumbent.

But at the least, voters will a choice this year, he said.

“What I’m looking for is a fair election,” Comaianni said. “You’re going to have to earn it this time.”

Woodhaven Residents Block Association Meeting - September 15th...

The Woodhaven Residents Block Association September meeting was held at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Ambulance Corps headquarters on Jamaica Avenue on September 15th...

Newly elected New York State Assembly member Michael Miller (photo above) was congratulated and spoke briefly to the Association members...

Among the visitors to the meeting were Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-38th AD), City Councilman Eric Ulrich, City Council candidate Frank Gulluscio, Albert Baldeo, Farouk Samaroo and City Council candidate Tom Ognibene...and representatives from state Sentor Joe Addabbo's office and Kate Mooney of City Council member Elizabeth Crowley's office...

Woodhaven Residents Block Association Executive Board with from left to right - Farouk Samaroon, Frank Gulluscio, CM Eric Ulrich, Tom Ognibene, AM Michael Miller and Albert Baldeo

Schumer, Weiner Line Up Behind 'Democrat' Miller - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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Conservative/Democratic Assembly candidate Mike Miller is wracking up endorsements now that a federal court judge has cleared the way for the on-again, off-again, on-again primary day special election to take place in the 38th AD.

The latest Democratic elected officials to announce their support of Miller in his quest for the seat held until June by former Assemblyman Tony Seminerio are Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Anthony Weiner.

The Miller campaign's release includes an attached photo of the candidate with Weiner and the following statement from Schumer:

"Democrat Mike Miller has been a leader and advocate for all our families, and will continue fighting for us in the State Assembly.”

And then there's this from Miller himself:

"I am honored to have the support of the Democratic leaders our community trusts. As the only Democrat in this election, I will not let the residents of the 38th Assembly District down."

"On day one, I’ll be ready to fight for what matters most to our families - strong local schools, affordable health care, a vibrant economy with good-paying jobs, and a quality of life that makes people want to live, work, and raise a family in Queens.”

Notice anything missing? The fact that Miller has been cross-endorsed by the Conservative Party, perhaps?

Primary day tends to bring out committed (read: trending left), hard-core Democrats. So it stands to reason that Miller's Conservative support isn't necessarily something his campaign wants to tout to the kind of voters who might be moved by a Schumer-Weiner endorsement.

Miller is so far only facing the Queens GOP's nominee, Donna Marie Caltabiano, in the Sept. 15 race.

The Democrat who filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to block Gov. David Paterson's declared, rescinded and re-declared special election, Farouk Samaroo, is continuing to challenge the constitutionality of the race, but that seems rather a long shot effort at this point.

38th AD Race Loses Two Candidates by Lisa Fogarty - Queens Chronicle

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Democrats Lourdes Ventura, left, and Nick Comaianni will run in 2010 for a full term in the 38th District Assembly seat.

The list of candidates running for the 38th District Assembly seat dwindled further this week when Lourdes Ventura, former counsel to state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) and counsel for Latino and Immigrant Affairs, and Nick Comaianni, Community Education Council of District 24 president, announced they are taking a rain check on campaigning until next year’s election for the full-term seat.

Ventura and Comaianni sought the Democratic endorsement in the Sept. 15 special election to fill the seat left vacant when former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio resigned and pleaded guilty to fraud charges two months ago. When Democratic Party leaders chose Mike Miller, who has also received the Conservative and Independent Party endorsements, both candidates joined fellow Democrats Albert Baldeo and Farouk Samaroo and bowed out of the race.

All four contenders have said they will run in November 2010 for a full term, when they will face Miller or Republican candidate Donna Marie Caltabiano.

“I’m a resident in the district, have a young child and wanted to make a difference,” Ventura explained as her motivation behind running.

Prior to joining the Senate staff, Ventura worked as an associate at Ahmuty, Demers & McManus, a civil litigation firm. In addition, she served as an assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 2002 until 2006, where she investigated complaints and prosecuted cases involving allegations of unlawful discrimination in housing, education and places of accommodation, such as hotels.

In addition to heading CEC 24, Comaianni is a United States Navy veteran and chairman of Community Board 9’s education committee. He’s also a member of the board of directors at his Forest Park condominium complex, where he said he has witnessed firsthand the struggles seniors face fighting to maintain homes they worked hard to buy but can no longer afford to keep.

AD38 Special Election is On - Again by Dan Jacoby - The Daily Gotham

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When Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio resigned in disgrace, the stage was set for a very interesting election to replace him, but all hopes for a true election were dashed today when Govenor Paterson issued a proclamation for a special election to be held on September 15.

Without that proclamation, there would have been a primary on Sept. 15, followed by a general election in November. Four Democrats, including Albert Baldeo, had petitioned to be on the ballot. For the special election, however, there is no primary, and the Democratic insiders can pick their nominee. That nominee will be Mike Miller, who also has the Conservative Party line. That's right - Conservative!

Baldeo has been a thorn in the side of the Queens County Democratic machine for a few years. In 2005, he ran for City Council in a race that included a claim (unverified) that he pulled a gun on an opponent's wife. In 2006, Baldeo ran for state Senate on the Democratic line (despite the opposition of the Democratic machine) and came within several hundred votes of knocking out Serph Maltese. In 2008, he ran again, going up against Joseph Addabbo, Jr. in a primary, until he was persuaded by, among others, now-Senate Democratic Caucus Chair John Sampson, to drop out; Addabbo won that election.

In theory, someone (such as Baldeo) could still petition to get on the ballot for the special election as an independent candidate. The problem is that Baldeo apparently moved into the district sometime between Sept. 15 and Nov. 3 of last year. That means he would have satisfied the one-year residency requirement for a general election, but won't for the special, and is therefore ineligible to run.

The winner in this mess is the Queens Democratic Party. They don't have to worry about Albert Baldeo upsetting their plans, at least this year.

The losers are: Sampson, Malcolm Smith and Rep. Greg Meeks, all of whom are supporting Baldeo; DC37, which endorsed Baldeo this week; Baldeo himself (at least for now); and the voters of the 38th AD, who won't get a real opportunity to cast a meaningful vote.

There is one more loser: David Paterson. Last Friday his office issued a proclamation for a special election, only to have him retract it a few hours later. Now he issues - or reissues - another proclamation? I'm still not sure who did what, and why it all got screwed up, but if Paterson can't make a decision, stick with it, and get his office to follow his lead, what chance does he have to resurrect his sagging popularity? In addition, Paterson has now pissed off the current Senate President Pro Tempore (Smith), the presumptive Senate President Pro Tempore for next year (Sampson), a Congressman (Meeks), and most likely many others.

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy year.

Samaroo Sues Paterson to Stop Special Election for Queens Seat by Ray Edroso - VillageVoice.com - Runnin' Scared Blog...

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The special assembly election Governor Paterson announced, then rescinded, in Queens is on again -- at least for the moment.

"Although there were concerns raised about last week's announcement," says the Governor, "after a comprehensive review of the issues at stake, I have determined that a Special Election on Primary Day is the most cost-effective, expeditious way to ensure that the people of the 38th District are appropriately represented in the Assembly."

Would-be candidate Farouk Samaroo (pictured) claims disenfranchisement and is suing, requesting "injunctive relief and a temporary restraining order" on behalf of himself and several other office-seekers who had petitioned for the primary ballot and now have to start all over again for the special election.

Samaroo wants Paterson's proclamation declared "unconstitutional and therefore null, void and of no legal effect." He also mentions in his filing that he "is an Indian-American person, and as such is a member of a protected class under the Voting Rights Act."

Samaroo was profiled last month by the Queens Gazette, which reported that he had served as an intern to Congressman Floyd Flake at age 12, fought in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, and was "both promoted and fired -- in the same week -- by disgraced Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin. "

The race is to replace Anthony Seminerio, who resigned in disgrace earlier this year.

Much Confusion Over Setting Date For 38th AD Special Election by John Toscano - www.qgazette.com | Queens Gazette

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No new date for a special election to fill the seat vacated by Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio has been announced by Governor David Paterson. Paterson announced a date for an election last Friday, but then canceled it some four hours later.

Reports that the governor's bizarre actions were sparked by two Queens lawmakers, Congressmember Gregory Meeks (D- Southeast Queens) and state Senator Malcolm Smith (D- Jamaica) have been circulating since the announcement was rescinded.

Meeks and Smith reportedly were acting on behalf of Albert Baldeo, an Ozone Park attorney who wants to run for the seat vacated by Seminerio, but as of now would not qualify to run because he does not live within the district's boundaries.

Baldeo presently resides in Ozone Park. The 38th AD includes areas of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven and Glendale.

On August 7, the governor had set September 15 as the day for the special election. Primary elections will be held throughout the city on that date, which had already been set by the Board of Elections more than a month ago when nominating petitions began to be circulated by anyone seeking to run in the primaries.

Baldeo and three other persons submitted petitions to run for the 38th AD seat to the Board of Elections. The other three seeking to run for the seat are listed in the board's records as Nick Comaianni of Woodhaven; Michael G. Miller of Glendale, and Farouk Samaron of Richmond Hill.

One of those three reportedly has the backing of the Queens Democratic Party. However, calls to party headquarters in Forest Hills were not returned so the party's designee could not be confirmed.

However, the Queens organization, headed by Congressmember Joseph Crowley, reportedly wants to go ahead with the election on September 15. Meeks and Smith's opposition led to the governor canceling the special election for that day.

Jumping into the act, the Queens Republican Party said through a spokesman that it is "reviewing our legal options" to go into court and compel the governor to enforce the September 15 date he originally set for the special election because the GOP may want to put up a candidate to run for the seat.

The Queens Democrats might also go to court to get a ruling saying the governor can't change the date since he officially set it.

38th District Candidate Calls for Investigation of Special Election Proclamation by David Lombardo - Legislative Gazette

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Albert Baldeo, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 38th Assembly District, is calling for an investigation into this past Friday’s confusion surrounding the scheduling of a special election in the district.

A proclamation announcing the date of a special election was issued by Gov. David A. Paterson’s office around noon on Friday and was retracted about four hours later by a brief statement.

Baldeo is encouraged by the recall of the first statement, but wants an investigation into the whole affair.

“The question here is who ‘back-doored’ the proclamation without the governor’s consent,” said Baldeo, who pointed out Paterson was in the Hamptons when the proclamation was issued.

If the retraction is ultimately deemed invalid, and there ends up being a special election, Baldeo has promised legal action.

“We are going to sue for ballot access and our right to run for public office if a special election is called,” said Baldeo. He also said there are other candidates who would join him in his suit.

According to the Queens Board of Elections there are currently four Democrats who have submitted the adequate number of petitions to appear on the Democratic primary ballot for this seat and they are Baldeo, Nick Comaianni, Michael G. Miller and Farouk Samaroo. There is currently only one Republican with petitions submitted and she is Donna Marie Caltabiano.

Gov. David Paterson was Right to Cancel Sham Special Election in Queens - Daily News Editotial

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Embarrassing as it was for Gov. Paterson to call a special election in Queens' 38th Assembly District - then, hours later, cancel it - he ended up right. Voters should choose a representative through a full-fledged, open primary election, not a party-rigged sham. Especially after what they've been through.

Residents of the 38th - covering Ridgewood, Glendale, Woodhaven and Ozone Park - were long represented by Tony Seminerio. In classic Albany form, he pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in June and left office. The primary to replace him was set for Sept. 15, and several Democratic candidates had already submitted papers to run.

Then, out of nowhere last Friday, Paterson called a special election, on the cockamamie theory that the district couldn't wait until January to have a new Assembly member sworn in. That move would have nixed the primary and instead let Democratic Party bosses install a successor to Seminerio, i.e., handpick a tool.

Paterson realized his error. A few hours after authorizing the special election, aides said their boss hadn't made up his mind yet after all.

Stick with your second instinct, governor. Let the voters choose.

Assembly a Full-time Job for Mike Miller by Lisa Fogarty - Queens Chronicle

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The Democratic primary is two months away, but 38th District Assembly candidate Michael Miller has already earned a coveted endorsement from the Queens Conservative Party and the support of several key community leaders, including City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) and Democratic District Leader Frank Kotnik.

Considering the early fanfare and his community accomplishments, it’s little wonder the 48-year-old Community Board 5 member appeared both serene and confident at his first fundraiser, held Tuesday evening at Shiro’s in Atlas Park.

“I’ve been a community leader for a long time,” Miller said. “I saw what was going on in my district and wanted to put my two cents in. I want to be the one people come to when they need things done.”

The actions in his district Miller refers to, of course, include the recent resignation of former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, who pleaded guilty to fraud charges. The office has remained vacant for almost two months and six candidates — Democrats Miller, Albert Baldeo, Nick Comaianni, Farouk Samaroo, Lourdes Ventura and Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano — are vying to take the seat.

Although he’s new to campaigning, Miller has been a leader in his district for over 20 years. As a past board member of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, he helped the small neighborhood organization create a community center on Myrtle Avenue, where it was able to expand and eventually employ 200 workers that serve 6000 residents. He helped raise money for the Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corps to puchase a new ambulance and has received numerous awards and citations from the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol and the New York City Police Department for his time spent patrolling the community as a past vice president and current board member of the GCOP and for efforts in ridding the neighborhood of graffiti — which he cites as one major way to improve quality of life in a community.

The past president of the Glendale Kiwanis and past lieutenant governor of Queens West Kiwanis said he is a staunch advocate for education, seniors, war veterans and people with disabilities. He started the Forest Park Aktion Club, a Kiwanis club for adults with mental disabilities, which he considers one of his greatest achievements.

“This is a group of people that really didn’t have much,” Miller said. “They run the club themselves.”

The candidate, who is currently seeking the Democatic endorsement, supports funding for the creation of affordable housing for seniors, as well as after-school programs and technology that will allow schools to keep up with the times.

As a branch manager for Tiger Federal Credit Union’s only New York office, Miller has helped New Yorkers secure loans for their first homes, cars and college educations. He was also the bank’s community liaison, credited for maintaining relationships with companies and organizations such as the New York Racing Association and Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

“I enjoy getting that car loan for somebody,” he said. “At Christmas, I like getting them their holiday bonuses.”

Regardless of how full his schedule would become as assemblyman, Miller said his number one duty is to serve his constittuents.

“For me, it’s not a part-time job,” he said. “I’m not going to be running a business.”

Seminerio Seat Special Election Riles Baldeo by Howard Koplowitz - Queens Campaigner

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Gov. David Paterson intends to call a special election to fill the seat vacated by former state Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, according to an e-mail written by the lawyer for the city Board of Elections.

If Paterson follows through, a wrench would be thrown into the plans of the six contenders running for the seat, who have raised funds and collected petition signatures that would be voided.

“I have just been informed by the governor’s office that Governor Paterson intends to issue a proclamation … calling a special election to fill the vacancy,” wrote Steven H. Richman, counsel for the city Board, in an e-mail sent July 22 to the board’s commissioners, executive management and legal department.

Ozone Park attorney Albert Baldeo, who has about $150,000 in his campaign account and said he submitted 8,000 signatures in his bid to replace Seminerio, was one of six candidates who anticipated running in a primary election in September and the general election in November.

But under a special election, which according to Richman’s e-mail is expected to be called for Primary Day, the petitioning process would be circumvented with the borough’s party leaders choosing candidates to run.

“I feel that [a special election] abdicates the rights of the voters,” Baldeo said. “This is a violation of the right to vote.”

“Here you’re going against the will of 15,000 people,” he said, referring to the collective number of signatures obtained by the candidates.

Running along with Baldeo are Community District Education Council 24 President and Community Board 9 member Nick Comaianni, Forest Park Senior Citizens Center Executive Director Donna Caltabiano, state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) aide Lourdes Ventura, CB 5 member Michael Miller and Farouk Samaroo, a former aide to ex-Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin.

Seminerio, who resigned from the Assembly a day before pleading guilty to honest services mail fraud charges, remains as a Democratic district leader and would have influence over who the Democratic Party chooses as its candidate if a special election were held.

A political observer familiar with the race said some party leaders were uncomfortable that they would “have to lobby a convicted felon” to back their preferred candidate.

Queens Democratic sources said a special election would undermine Baldeo, whom they did not perceive as the party’s choice for the seat, according to City Hall News.

But Baldeo said he believed the party would endorse him in the end because of his loyalty and support to the machine’s candidates.

Baldeo came within 8,000 votes of ousting then-state Sen. Serphin Maltese in 2006 and bowed out of a possible rematch in 2008 in favor of then-City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), who went on to win the seat and helped Democrats capture the majority in the Senate for the first time since 1965.

“I paved the way for [Addabbo] to get that seat,” Baldeo said. “I have made good with the party. I’ve done my part for them.”

Field of Candidates Grows for Seminerio's Vacant Assembly Seat by Conor Greene - Forum News

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The field of candidates seeking the state Assembly seat vacated by Anthony Seminerio continues to grow, as at least six local residents have announced their intentions to run for the seat representing the 38th District.

After holding the position for three decades, a disgraced Seminerio resigned on June 22. Two days later, he admitted in Manhattan Federal Court to accepting illegal payment from individuals seeking to do business with the state. Barring a special election, his successor will be chosen during November’s general election.

Among those vying for the Democrat nomination are Ozone Park attorney Albert Baldeo, Community Education Council 24 President Nick Comaianni, combat veteran Farouk Samaroo, Community Board 5 member Michael Miller and Queens College student . The lone Republican is Donna Marie Catalbiano, director of the Forest Park Senior Citizen Center.

Baldeo, who came within 700 votes of defeating then State Senator Serf Maltese in 2006, said he has raised about $167,000 so far in support of his assembly bid. He noted that he received 70% of votes in the Richmond Hill portion of the district in 2006, even though Seminerio publicly endorsed and aggressively campaigned for Maltese. “That helps me because I’ve worked in the district before and have the name recognition,” said Baldeo.

Baldeo listed stopping over-development, preventing MTA fare hikes and service cuts, creating a specific zip code for Glendale and preserving the Ridgewood Reservoir in its natural state among his major issues. “These are the issues I’ve been championing,” he said. “I’ve gotten an enormous groundswell of support from all over the district because of my continuous work on issues that affect these areas.”

He said that he has lived in the district for more than a year, meaning he meets the residency requirements to run for the Assembly seat. Last year, he launched a bid for the Democratic nomination to challenge Maltese for his State Senate position. However, he eventually dropped out of the race, clearing the way for Joseph Addabbo, who defeated Maltese in a landslide. “I did that for the greater good of the party and don’t have any regrets,” he said. “It was a heart-wrenching decision then, but I’m ready for this one now and have laid the groundwork.”

It turns out Baldeo isn’t the only native of Guyana to join the fray. Samaroo, of Richmond Hill, recently announced his candidacy and is returning home after serving 12 months with the Army in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Prior to enlisting in the Army, he worked in 2003 for former Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, who was sentenced in May to 10 years in prison for stealing $3.1 million. He also worked on the 2006 campaign of State Senator Shirley Huntley.

“My experience in the Legislature, and on the battlefield make me uniquely qualified to serve the people of our neighborhoods,” said Samaroo. “We deserve an Assemblyman who will serve us with honor, experience and skill… Our Assemblyman resigned in disgrace, the state Legislature is failing us, and our country needs the service of committed young men and women to lead at all levels of government.”

Also throwing his hat into the ring is Miller, a Glendale resident who, aside from his CB 5 duties, is a board member of the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol, a past board member of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council and a past president of the Glendale Kiwanis. He is a graduate of Archbishop Molloy High School, Queens College and the University of Georgia CUNA Management School.

“With all the dysfunction in Albany today, we obviously need leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up to the status quo and fight for us,” said Miller. “I will be a full time representative of my district. For over 20 years, I have proven my commitment to my neighbors and my community. In the New York State Assembly, you can count on me to continue the service to this community that has defined my life.”

Among Miller’s prior accomplishments are helping to expand the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council from “a small neighborhood group to an organization with 180 employees that serves 6,000 people each year.” He has also been awarded numerous citations from the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol and the NYPD for his anti-graffiti efforts. He was recently endorsed by the Queens Conservative Party.

“I am proud of my work removing and painting over graffiti in my community, leading area clean-ups before it was popular with politicians and supervising prisoners assigned to work in our community,” said Miller, who also founded the Forest Park Aktion Club, a Kiwanis club for adults with mental disabilities.

One of the first to announce his candidacy was Comaianni, who, aside from serving as CEC 24 president, is a member of Community Board 9, the Glendale Civic Association and the Forest Park Co-op board of directors. A U.S Navy veteran, the 41-year-old father of three coaches at the RGMVM Little League and is a lifelong resident of district 38.

“I have dedicated a great portion of my life to community service and feel that I am qualified to serve in the New York State Assembly, where I can continue to work and have a greater impact on the quality of life in the community in which I reside,” he said in a statement. “I am like every other New Yorker who is upset with the dysfunction currently in Albany. If elected, I will go to Albany to foster changes, to limit special interest involvement in government and to fight for transparency. I will oppose taxes, try to restore some of the sanity in the budget process and put the interests of the community first and foremost.”

Gagliardotto is among the latest to declare his candidacy, which he did in an email sent Tuesday night to local media outlets. A lifelong district resident who grew up in Ozone Park, he now lives in Glendale and says he is “the only candidate who can truly bring the understanding of the entire district to Albany.”

The 23-year-old is a graduate of PS 60, IS 119 and Forest Hills High School and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in labor studies. “From Ridgewood to Ozone Park I have friends and relatives that span the entire 38th district,” said Gagliardotto. “They are constantly expressing their thoughts and concerns to me looking for guidance. I help them and now I want to extend my hand to all residents.”

Among his priorities would be affordable healthcare for all residents, education, preserving parks and recreational areas, lowering taxes and making sure working class constituents receive appropriate living wages.

The lone Republican, Catalbiano, said this week that her campaign has been going “non- stop” since she announced that she is running. “Even though we haven’t officially started fund raising, people have been sending checks which is building my spirits. “We’ve been calling people non-stop and I’m pounding the pavement to get my face known in areas that I might not be as well known.”

Catalbiano, who received the backing of the Queens Republican Party, is also hoping to receive the Independence Party’s support. On top of her 14 years at the senior center, she boasts a civic record that includes spearheading the push for an expansion at PS 64, which came to fruition in 1991. “I think the community needs a person like me. Over the years I have many accomplishments,” she said. “We have our forces ready and we’re giving it our best shot.”