By Kathianne Boniello
As more than 200 friends and supporters listened to state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) speak at a campaign fund-raiser in Douglaston Sunday afternoon, there was one fact the veteran senator could not overlook.
“If I were to ask each one of you to say how many of you are Democrats, two-thirds of you would raise your hands,” he said, inspiring laughter in the crowd. “I’m not going to do that because it’s depressing.”
Padavan, who is seeking his 16th term, is running unopposed in this fall’s state election, but the lack of competition did not keep devoted crowds away from Douglaston Manor International restaurant this weekend to celebrate the politician’s 30th anniversary in office.
Padavan, first elected in 1972, represents the 11th state Senate District, which encompasses Bayside, Glen Oaks, Little Neck, Queens Village, Douglaston, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, parts of Whitestone and College Point in northeast Queens.
Although the borough is heavily Democratic with Republicans outnumbered by Democrats 5-to-1, Padavan is one of the few Republicans in the borough who has been able to maintain a strong following.
The 11th Senate District is heavily Democratic with 82,456 registered Democrats, 36,355 registered Republicans, 1,579 registered Independent Party members and 32,668 people who declare themselves to be independents without any party affiliation.
Philip Sica, a longtime member of the Queens Village Republican Club, was one of the more than 200 people who turned out Sunday.
“It’s his record,” Sica said of Padavan’s legislative track record. “He serves everyone, no matter what their party affiliation is.”
Thomas Long, head of the Queens Conservative Party, said the senator’s “30 years of fighting for his community” make him a standout.
“When he gets up there, he doesn’t forget what he’s there for,” Long said of Padavan.
Described as an independent legislator, he has voted against the Republican leadership in Albany on topics such as casino gambling, which he staunchly opposes. He has also supported state rent control laws and bans on assault weapons, voting with the Democratic minority. In June, Padavan led the way in reforming governance of the city’s public schools, eliminating the Board of Education and giving Mayor Michael Bloomberg control of the education system.
Running unopposed in this year’s elections, Padavan has been able to fend off several challenges over the past several years.
In 2000, the senator handily defeated Democrat Rory Lancman to win his 15th term in office. In the 1998 campaign, Padavan also survived a threat from then-political newcomer Morshed Alam, 42, who captured 40 percent of the vote against him in the 1998 election without the blessing of the Queens Democratic Party machine.
Padavan, who was praised throughout the afternoon for his even-handed legislative record, said his work ethic is simple.
“I’m an engineer,” he said. “We go on the basic presumption that there’s no problem that can’t be solved, given proper efforts.”
Also on hand at Sunday’s fund-raiser were a handful of Republican candidates running for office this fall, including state Assembly hopefuls John Ottulich of Douglaston, Stacey Kaplan-Vila and Rolaine F. Antoine of Queens Village and congressional candidate Perry Reich of Hollis Hills.
Ottulich, who is seeking to unseat state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside), praised Padavan as a mentor.
“He’s a great role model,” Ottulich said. “There are few who are better.”
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
