MoveOn.org Meeting with Congressman Joe Crowley on January 11th...

Standing from the right: Joe Sherman, Bill Krum, Rep Crowley, David Quintana and Joe Lauria - Seated: Raphael Schweizer, Zo Halton and Paco Lugovina  - Click on image to enlarge

On Tuesday, January 11^th, members from the Bronx and Queens MoveOn.org Councils met with Representative Joe Crowley at his Bronx office on Bruckner Blvd to discuss our progressive values and seek his assistance and commitment to pursuing them during the upcoming Congressional legislative session.

Among the items we presented and discussed with Congressman Crowley were:

• An extension of unemployment benefits for 99'ers and a federal job training bill to get american back to work...
• Green Energy Initatives to help America be a leader in clean energy policies and end our use of foreign oil...tied into this was the need to a new commitment to rebuilding our roads, bridges and infrastructure...
• An end to the endless wars in Iran and Afghanistan and to use the money towards domestic policies...
• A repeal of the onerous and Un-American Patriot Act...which goes against the Bill of Rights and numerous other Constitutional guaranteed rights of all Americans...
• Cleaning up federal campaigns including campaign finance reform, enactment of the Disclose Act and a repeal of the Citizen United bill...
• Comprehensive federal Gun Control and reenactment of the Assault Weapons Act and the Brady Bill...
• Healthcare reform including fighting back against the Republican's repeal of the recently passed bill and making it even more progressive with the inclusion of single payer option...
• We stressed the need for a comprehensive Immigration policy and to seek the passage of the Dream Act...
• Mental health issues were discussed in regard to the recent Gabrielle Giffords tragedy in Arizona...

Congressman Crowley was supportive on many of the issues and vowed to push against the wrong-headed incoming Republican majority's agenda...He also agreed to work with us and meet with us in the future to assist us realizing our goals for a better America...

Click on image to enlarge

Queens Representatives On Fight For Gun Legislation - NY1 Online: Inside City Hall - NY1.com

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NY1 VIDEO: Queens Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Joseph Crowley appeared on Monday's edition of "Inside City Hall" to discuss whether the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords should lead to a renewed discussion of federal gun laws.

NYC Council Member Ruben Wills Inauguration Ceremony at York College on December 11th...

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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.

Dem Feud Sparked Gov's Bungle by Fredric U. Dicker - New York Post

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GOV. PATERSON'S bizarre ac tion Friday announcing and then canceling a special Assembly election resulted from secret pressure from three powerful Queens Democrats who are on the outs with their county leader, The Post has learned.

The bungled handling of what was widely expected to be a Sept. 15 contest for the seat left vacant by the resignation of disgraced former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio has "totally pissed off" the regular Queens Democratic organization, headed by US Rep. Joseph Crowley, sources said.

While the cancellation was publicly attributed to a "mistake" by Paterson's top staff, including chief counsel Peter Kiernan, it actually came in response to demands by state Sens. Malcolm Smith and John Sampson, and US Rep. Gregory Meeks, who have promised the Assembly seat to a party maverick not favored by Crowley, sources said.

Smith, Sampson and Meeks are backing Queens activist Albert Baldeo, who has been preparing to run for the seat left open by the resignation of Seminerio, who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.

But Baldeo -- a one-time state Senate candidate who is viewed skeptically by many Queens Democrats -- won't be eligible to run for the seat in September because he can't meet the one-year residency requirement until November, when he wants the special election to be held, it was learned.

Paterson was caught between the two feuding sides and, insiders said, made contradictory promises to both.

"This is another typical Paterson screw-up, where he designates his staff to take care of something and then he goes out to do other things and doesn't keep track of what's going on," said a prominent New York City Democrat.

"As a result, the governor has totally pissed off the Queens organization, starting with Joe Crowley."

Meanwhile, it was learned that Paterson's cancellation of the order for the Sept. 15 contest might be illegal.

Queens Republicans are expected to push to select a candidate for a Sept. 15 election, contending that Paterson's initial order is legally binding.

The Queens Democratic organization, fearing the GOP is correct, is then expected to follow suit and select a candidate of its own -- and it won't be Baldeo.

fredric.dicker@nypost.com

More Trouble For Monserrate, Funds For Ferreras by Elizabeth Benjamin - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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Sen. Hiram Monserrate, whose felony assault case is still wending its way through the legal system, was slapped today with an $30,102 fine by the Campaign Finance Board in connection with his 2005 City Council campaign.

According to the CFB, the former Councilman, who won an uncontested race for the state Senate last fall, exceeded the expenditure limit by $15,051 during his last re-election bid almost four years ago.

Monserrate received $82,500 worth of public funds that year and was among the top four Council candidate spenders ($222,308), despite the fact that he had no serious opposition.

(He was speculated to be eyeing a potential congressional challenge to Rep. Joe Crowley at the time. That never materialized and he opted to seek re-election instead, but the threat to Crowley was widely speculated to figure heavily in the Queens Democratic Party's decision to dump former Sen. John Sabini and back Monserrate for Senate in 2008).

This isn't the first time Monserrate has had campaign finance trouble. He missed the state Board of Election's Jan. 15 filing deadline (his first financial report since his swearing-in, which took place under the cloud of his alleged assault of his girlfriend. Karla Giraldo).

When Monserrate's filing arrived at the board, it revealed he had spent $15,000 worth of campaign cash on media advice by DolceGoldin, the consulting firm of former NY1 reporter, Davidson Goldin.

The CFB also distrbuted $75,742 worth of public matching funds to Julissa Ferreras, a former Monserrate staffer who is running in the upcoming Feb. 24 special election for his old Council seat in the 21st CD. (She was left out of the first round of CFB special election payouts).

The board dismissed a complaint made against Frank Gulluscio, who was a candidate in the 49th CD special election until the Board of Elections voted to oust him from the ballot.

One of Gulluscio's opponents, Eric Ulrich, alleged an unreported expenditure by the Gulluscio campaign for an ad in the Queens Chronicle. But the CFB determined this was merely a reporting error and dismissed the complaint once the mistake was rectified.

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley Carrying on a Family Tradition - NY Daily News

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The city council has several second-generation members who have followed in the footsteps of their parents. But newly minted member Elizabeth Crowley has them doubly beat.

Both her father and mother served in the Council - though very briefly in 1985, and in a different seat than the one she now occupies after three hard-fought campaigns.

Crowley, 31, was sworn in Wednesday to represent Queens' 30th District, which includes Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth and parts of Ridgewood, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven.

Crowley, a Democrat, deposed Republican Anthony Como by 4,369 votes in November. Como had won the vacant seat in a special election last June by edging out Crowley by 41 votes.

The two could go head-to-head again this November, when the entire 51-member Council is up for election.

Crowley also lost a bid in 2001 for the same seat against Republican Dennis Gallagher, who resigned last year after pleading guilty to a sexual assault.

In welcoming remarks, Council Speaker Christine Quinn noted that Crowley was "the third member of her immediate family" to serve in the Council. "So we're very glad you're keeping this tradition going," Quinn said.

Crowley's father, Walter, was elected by the Council in January 1985 to fill a vacancy. But he died Sept. 24, 1985, at the age of 53 - just two weeks after winning the Democratic primary for reelection. The Council then named his widow, Mary, to fill out the three months left in that term.

That seat, now representing the 26th District, was won by Walter McCaffrey, who served until term limits forced him out in 2001. The current incumbent there is Democrat Eric Gioia.

Political veterans might remember that Walter Crowley had succeeded the now-late Thomas Manton when Manton became a Congressman in 1985. Manton had succeeded Geraldine Ferraro, who gave up her congressional seat to make her historic, though losing, vice presidential bid in 1984 on the Democratic ticket with Walter Mondale.

To add to the political pedigree that Elizabeth Crowley brings with her, she is a cousin of Rep. Joseph Crowley, who succeeded Manton both in Congress and as Queens Democratic boss.

In brief remarks before taking her oath, Elizabeth Crowley said she was proud to serve in the same chambers where her father and mother had served.

Noting she is one of 15 children, Councilwoman Crowley joked, "You have to imagine what it was like to grow up in the Crowley family. At the dinner table ... it was hard to get words in edgewise, but it has definitely prepared me for this opportunity."flombardi@nydailynews.com

Longshot GOP Hopeful Looks to the Web to Win by Paul Leonard - Queens Chronicle

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Like any other underdog candidate, Tony Nunziato is trying to find any edge over his opponent.

But he’s not looking for a high-priced pollster or a well-connected political strategist for his campaign to unseat longtime Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth).

Instead, the first-time candidate made a call to Scott Detweiler, a software designer in Brookfield, Wis., almost 1,000 miles away from Nunziato’s Maspeth florist shop, which doubles as his campaign headquarters.

The result is a Web site without peer in a borough with numerous campaigns for city and state office. “Having a Web presence is essential for anyone running a grassroots operation,” said Eric Ulrich, Nunziato’s political director and the GOP candidate for Joe Addabbo’s council seat. “We’re not using traditional means of campaigning.”

Nunziato’s Web site integrates press releases, volunteer outreach and fundraising on a Web engine designed by Detweiler’s company, Ideal Campaigns.

And if the longshot 30th Assembly District candidate’s Web site looks familiar, that’s because Detweiler has also created campaign sites for failed GOP presidential candidates Duncan Hunter and Tommy Thompson. “I’m a conservative Republican, and it seemed natural to use our technology to help conservative candidates reach out to voters,” Detweiler said.

With the Web site up and running since Nunziato formally kicked off his campaign last week in Maspeth, the jury is still out about whether his beefed-up Internet presence will make any difference in the short time left before the November election. “When next week’s numbers come out, I think you’ll see a big bump for us,” Nunziato said, referring to his campaign’s next periodic financial disclosure report, due to come out before Election Day.

The latest financial disclosure statement from the state elections board in July had $21,439.07 on hand for Nunziato, compared with $18,768.98 for Markey.

For a campaign short on both political traction and time in a predominately Democratic Assembly district once held by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Bronx, Queens), the beefed-up Web presence adds much needed weight to Nunziato’s campaign.

And with his incumbent opponent lacking any Internet campaign footprint, Nunziato is at least making a play for an increasing number of voters who get their news and information from the Internet.

A spokesman for Markey called out Nunziato’s Web site for not accurately reflecting the GOP challenger’s candidacy or addressing the needs of the 30th Assembly District, which includes Maspeth, Woodside and parts of Long Island City, Middle Village, Astoria and Sunnyside.

But Detweiler is clear that his campaign Web engine is no magic bullet for longshot GOP candidates — a fact driven home by Hunter and Thompson’s early exit from the Republican campaign trail earlier this year.

“I’m a software developer, not a political activist,” Detweiler said. “I can’t win campaigns.... that’s not my job.”

Same Faces, Different Tactics in Elizabeth Crowley vs. Anthony Como by John Lauinger - NY Daily News

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When Democrat Elizabeth Crowley campaigned in the June special election for former City Councilman Dennis Gallagher's seat, she avoided speaking directly to the press.

Her message was crafted by the Parkside Group, a high-powered political consulting firm, and its media-savvy consultants did all the talking.

But as she gears up for a November rematch with Anthony Como, who won that election, Crowley has been waging a conspicuously homespun and unchaperoned campaign.

Crowley told the Queens News she parted ways with the Parkside Group in order to save money and run a "grass-roots" effort.

"I lost by 38 votes and I said, 'What can I do differently?'" Crowley said, noting her new approach is to spend her money on "direct voter contact."

"It's the way that elections should be won - knocking on doors, meeting voters at train stops, going to community organizations," she said.

Crowley said of the Parkside Group: "Their mail and their campaign stuff is a lot more expensive than if I go to the printer myself and have something made."

But Como (R-Middle Village) took issue with Crowley's "new" mail. "She's at meetings handing out her old palm cards," he said.

The Crowley campaign gave The News a card at a candidates forum last week in Ridgewood. It reads: "Vote Crowley. Special Election. Tuesday, June 3rd."

"June 3rd" had been crossed off.

The 30th Council District - which includes Middle Village, Glendale and Ridgewood, with parts of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven and Forest Hills - has been in Republican hands since 1991.

A Democratic insider said Queens party bosses thought the best chance of claiming the seat was in the nonpartisan special election, in which Como and former GOP Councilman Tom Ognibene split GOP votes.

But it didn't happen. Now Queens Democrats - led by Crowley's cousin, Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens) - have more important races to consider than Round 2 of Crowley vs. Como, the insider said.

But Michael Reich, the executive secretary of the Queens Democratic Party, said Crowley has done well in fund-raising and has not been abandoned.

jlauinger@nydailynews.com

A Show of Unity in SD-15 Race - Baldeo Drops Out of Race - August 22nd - Additional Photos

Albert Baldeo, Joe Addabbo & Joe Crowley (Left to Right)

Joe Addabbo, Baldeo, Greg Meeks, Malcolm Smith & Joe Crowley (l-r)

Frank Gulluscio, Addabbo, Baldeo, Meeks, Smith & Crowley (l-r)

Addabbo & Baldeo - Meeks in Background

Baldeo Walks Away from Senate Race, Clearing the Path for Addabbo by Pat Adams - Forum News

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A crowd of pleased onlookers, including Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio (left) and State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, applaud a handshake exchanged by Albert Baldeo and the man they hope to send to the New York State Senate, Councilman Joe Addabbo. Photo by Pat Adams

Unity was the order of the day last Friday when State Senate candidate Joe Addabbo received the unexpected endorsement of Albert Baldeo, his would-be opponent in the September 9th Democratic Primary. According to Baldeo, he arrived at his unique decision in the name of party unity.

Standing in front of Baldeo’s law office on Liberty Avenue to receive the official endorsement, Addabbo was joined by Queens County Democratic Party Leader, Congressman Joe Crowley, NY State Senate Minority Leader Senator Malcolm Smith and Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Baldeo said, “I’m proud to be supporting Joe Addabbo for State Senate and plan to work with him here in the district, and hopefully in Albany, for the good of my community. Joe Addabbo has been an outstanding Councilman and I have full confidence that he will bring that same spirit of openness and leadership with him to Albany. Joe Addabbo is the best candidate to beat Maltese in November, I encourage all my supporters to vote for Joe.”

Addabbo graciously accepted Baldeo’s ringing endorsement saying, “I applaud his [Albert’s] wholehearted embrace of the democratic process. The Democratic Party is the party of inclusion, it’s a big tent with room for everyone, and we are stronger for his efforts. I look forward to working together as we head into November to bring real reform to Albany and accomplish our shared goals of increased funding for education, better jobs and benefits, increased access to government services, and improving the lives of middle class and hard working people. The voters of the 15th Senate District deserve nothing less.”

“The best way for us to achieve our goals is by working together," said Queens County Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Crowley. “I look forward to a united Queens County Democratic party working to elect Councilman Joe Addabbo to the New York State Senate.”

Addabbo’s graciousness may have come as a surprise to many, given that in recent months Baldeo and some of his supporters have been blatant in their attempts to blacken Addabbo’s political and personal reputation. According to Democratic Party activist Betty Braton, “It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Joe is able to find a way to work together with an adversary. Addabbo’s a consensus builder who knows that people don’t always agree, so common ground must be found to move forward. That is one of his biggest strengths.”

Although the endorsement by Baldeo was seen by some to be a surprise twist in this hotly contested race, many say that recent track of campaign activity was a key indicator that Baldeo was getting ready to step aside. Voters throughout the sprawling district have received no phone calls or mailers from Baldeo while Addabbo has been placed at events in all parts of the district. While Baldeo did make some appearances, they were confined to one small section of the area.

In recent weeks the Addabbo for Senate campaign “has been in high gear with phone banks running, two campaign offices operational, and Joe knocking on doors discussing issues with voters all throughout the district,” said Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio. “We welcome Baldeo’s participation in our effort to insure better representation for the district by defeating the incumbent in November.”

Both Gulluscio and Braton have been strong supporters of Addabbo since his first run for public office in 1997. Like Addabbo, both have been on the receiving end of vicious attack and trash talk by Baldeo or his supporters since 2006. When asked why they could join

Addabbo in accepting Baldeo’s support, both indicated that although some people think insults are an acceptable part of politics, their view is that, as Addabbo said, “the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion” and there is common ground in the desire of Democrats of differing views in both camps to win the 15th State Senate seat in November.

“People all across this country are tired of division and polarization,” Gulluscio said, and “are calling for an end to the bitterness between the parties, less focus on ideology, and more focus on working together where there is common ground to get the people’s business done.”

“Our party has been listening to that call,” Braton said. “Within our own party, by unifying with Baldeo and helping Joe Addabbo take this seat, we’re taking a step toward putting acrimony and division behind us. It would be insulting to our country’s democratic process to not work collectively to accomplish what both sides agree on – winning in November.”

Clearly the message sent by local Democrats at the press conference incorporated not only their desire to send Addabbo to Albany, but addressed the grander scheme – to recapture the Democratic State Senate majority which has eluded them for more than 40 years.

Although Baldeo’s name will remain on the ballot for next month’s primary, he indicates he will be working with Addabbo in the effort to oust Senator Maltese and is urging all 70,000 registered Democrats to vote for Addabbo, not him, on September 9th.

Councilman Joseph Addabbo's Cocktail Fund-Raiser Causing Problems by John Lauinger - NY Daily News

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City Councilman Joseph Addabbo is kicking off what is expected to be a seven-figure challenge to state Sen. Serphin Maltese with a fund-raiser at a midtown Manhattan lounge this week.

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith will host Addabbo's campaign cocktail hour on Thursday, but Maltese charged that Smith may not have been Addabbo's first choice for a headliner.

"I understand Gov. Spitzer had promised him a fund-raiser," Maltese (R-Glendale) said. "This may very well be the same fund-raiser that was changed to different hosts."

"No. Definitely not," Addabbo said when questioned on the matter. "Never Spitzer. Never!"

Before the "Client 9" sex scandal toppled Spitzer, Addabbo, who is expected to formally announce his candidacy next month, told the Daily News that his close relationship with Spitzer would make him a more effective legislator than his veteran opponent.

Maltese, who is gunning for his 11th consecutive term in a race in which control of the state Senate could be at stake, said Addabbo would be "damaged" by the loss of Spitzer's backing.

But in denying Maltese's accusation last week, Addabbo said Spitzer had not become directly involved in his campaign before his stunning fall from grace.

"We were trying to work out something with Spitzer but it just never materialized," he said.

The term-limited councilman said the fund-raiser was to be headlined by Smith, Congressman and Queens Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens) and Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Addabbo said congressional ethics guidelines barred Crowley from appearing at the fund-raiser. He said Quinn - recently in the headlines for her link to hiding budget funds behind phony nonprofit groups - could not attend due to a scheduling conflict.

Ozone Park attorney Albert Baldeo, who narrowly lost to Maltese two years ago, is eying a second run for the seat.

But Addabbo is the favored Democratic nominee. "Since Addabbo has the support of every single district leader that I am aware of, he will be the organization's candidate," said Michael Reich, executive secretary of the Queens Democratic Party.

Backed by thousands of dollars of his own money, Baldeo stands by his pledge to run - and says the party has unfairly dismissed him.

"Many people would be very crestfallen and very angry if I am pushed aside," Baldeo said.

Maltese said he is more than content to sit back and watch Addabbo and Baldeo duke it out in a Democratic primary. "That, to be honest, gladdens my heart," he said.

jlauinger@nydailynews.com

Councilmans Resignation Sets Off a Race - Jonathan P. Hicks - City Room - Metro - New York Times Blog

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Long before City Councilman Dennis P. Gallagher’s resignation on Monday, the race to succeed him was already off to a rollicking start. And now, with Mr. Gallagher set to leave the Council on April 18, the candidates are openly raising money and seeking support in their Queens district in a not-altogether friendly manner.

Mr. Gallagher, a Republican who was elected to the Council in 2001, pleaded guilty on Monday to two misdemeanors, admitting that he sexually abused a woman in his district office in Middle Village, Queens, last summer while he was intoxicated.

The Republicans are eager to hold on to the seat –- one of only three they hold in the 51-member City Council. And the Democrats are also eager to expand their quest to make the Council a nearly exclusively Democratic club.

But Mr. Gallagher’s resignation will trigger a special election, which is a far different affair from the normal primary races where the Democrats and Republicans nominate their respective choices. The election to succeed Mr. Gallagher is a non-partisan one, meaning that candidates are forbidden from using the names of established political parties.

Anyone can run who is a resident of the district — which includes Middle Village, Ridgewood and Glendale — and who collects 2,700 valid signatures from anyone in the district who is registered to vote. And the mayor is required to set a date for the election (within 45 days of the vacancy) within three days after Mr. Gallagher’s resignation takes effect.

But even though the election is nonpartisan, political affiliation, the power behind it, will clearly play a central role in the candidates’ campaigns.

The Democrats are expected to coalesce behind Elizabeth Crowley, in part because her cousin, United States Representative Joseph Crowley, is the Democratic Party chairman of Queens. Ms. Crowley, a developer of educational programs for nonprofit agencies, is also a member of the local chapter of the Building Trades Council.

She is also the daughter of Walter and Mary Crowley, each of whom once represented many of the same Queens neighborhoods in the City Council. Ms. Crowley ran in 2001 against Mr. Gallagher and lost in this moderate- to conservative-leaning district. Indeed, as of the last filing period, in January, she had raised more than $70,000 toward a Council race, according to records of the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

“Elizabeth has been very interested,” Congressman Crowley said. “She has been doing the ground work and raising money and building support in the community. I haven’t heard of anyone else on the Democratic side who is interested. And, we would certainly put our support behind the candidate we think is best.”

The Republicans are clearly less harmonious in their consideration regarding Mr. Gallagher’s successor. Philip Ragusa, the party chairman, said the organization will support Anthony Como, a commissioner with the New York City Board of Elections and longtime aide to State Senator Serphin Maltese. Mr. Como, a former assistant district attorney in Queens, ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 2005, losing to Andrew Hevesi, the son of former State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi.

But Mr. Como will face stiff competition from Thomas V. Ognibene, who represented the 30th Council District for 10 years, immediately before Mr. Gallagher. In fact, Mr. Gallagher was the chief lieutenant for Mr. Ognibene for many of his 10 years in the Council.

Mr. Ognibene is well known in the district (he once sought the Republican nomination for mayor against Michael R. Bloomberg). But there are deep fissures in the Republican Party in Queens.

“I think there is a historical situation that goes way back,” Mr. Ognibene said, in an interview. “Phil Ragusa is part of the faction that resisted me when I ran for mayor. The fact of the matter is that he has always anti-Ognibene.”

Mr. Ragusa, in response, said that his opposition to Mr. Ognibene is based on the fact that the former Councilman has simply been less visible in the party than Mr. Como.

That view was echoed by Mr. Como. “I haven’t seen Tom Ognibene at any of the community board or civic group meetings in years,” he said. “It’s not what you did 15 years ago that counts, it’s what you’re doing now. And I am involved in what’s going on in this district now.”

NY Daily News...If Hillary Wins, N.Y. Politicians Prepare for Administration Jobs

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If Hillary wins, N.Y. politicians prepare for administration jobs

Listen carefully. Amid the clamor of the presidential campaign is the subtler sound of thousands of resumes being polished in New York.

Ambitious politicians are starting to realize that a Hillary Clinton presidency would do more than give the country its first female leader and return the Democrats to the White House. Her election could completely upend New York politics - including the 2009 mayoral race.

Clinton's move would, of course, open up her Senate seat. Lt. Gov. David Paterson and Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) and Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) are all said to be interested in taking her place, an appointment made by Gov. Spitzer that would in turn open one of those spots.

That's just the beginning.

In a scenario that elicits heavy breathing in certain Democratic circles, the spree starts when Clinton begins to pick New Yorkers for administration jobs.

"It's such a ripple effect, it's almost hard to fathom," one elected official said.

Even if they're passed over to fill the Senate slot, Nadler, Maloney or Meeks could snag a Clinton appointment. So could Rep. Joseph Crowley, the Queens Democratic leader. How about that? Another opening that leads to another and another.

More intriguing is how a Clinton win could affect the next mayoral race. She would be rewarding friends and filling jobs in a little more than a year, just as the City Hall campaign picks up speed.

Some names to think about:

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión has stumped for Clinton in New Hampshire and filled in for her at Hispanic events. He's thought about running for mayor or city controller, but he doesn't sound like he'd turn down a sweet offer from Washington.

"Whenever a President calls a person for service to his or her country, it is an honor. But at the moment this is all just speculation. Of course, I would be honored to work for President Hillary Clinton, someone who I hold in the highest regard," he said.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn hasn't just endorsed Clinton, she's embraced her - going to events and getting advice from her strategists. Not that Quinn is thinking about the future one bit: "Chris Quinn is intensely focused on her job as speaker," a spokesman said.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, an independent who has been mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate, served under a Clinton in the Treasury Department and as head of the U.S. Customs Service. The FBI directorship isn't set to open until 2011 - but Homeland Security chief seems like a nice fit.

It's not just New York City politicians getting excited.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is close to Clinton and said to be hoping for a new job if she wins. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) wouldn't necessarily say no to a promotion.

And what about the Clinton allies we don't elect? Teachers union head Randi Weingarten - New York's biggest labor leader - might become president of the American Federation of Teachers, based in Washington. And gosh, if she's already there ...

Get to work on those résumés.

kdanis@nydailynews.com