By Nathan Duke
City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) will face off against a Republican, a member of the Green Party and a former opponent this fall in his bid to retain his Council seat for a third term.
Vallone was first elected in 2001, replacing his father, former Council Speaker Peter Vallone. The councilman had originally planned to run in the borough president race this fall, but dropped his bid after Borough President Helen Marshall indicated she would seek a third term.
Earlier this year, Vallone announced that he would make a third run to hold his District 22 seat, which covers Astoria, Rikers and Randalls Island as well as a section of Jackson Heights.
His opponents in the race include Republican Tom Dooley, Green Party candidate Lynn Serpe and perennial contender Jerry Kann.
So far, Vallone has raised $87,160 and spent $28,260, according to city Campaign Finance Board records.
None of Vallone’s opponents have reported any funds raised as of a May 15 disclosure statement deadline, according to Campaign Finance records.
Dooley, a former city firefighter, challenged state Sen. George Onorato (D-Astoria) last fall, running on the platform of lowering taxes for small businesses and homeowners. He is the sole Republican in the District 22 race.
Lynn Serpe, the official Green Party candidate in the race, works for a nonprofit that provides weatherization services for low-income households. She has worked for years as a community activist and environmentalist in a number of organizations, including Triple R Events: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Two Coves Community Garden near Astoria Houses; and the Long Island City-Astoria Alliance, as well as a volunteer for the city Parks Department.
Jerry Kann, who has run twice against Vallone on the Green Party line, has also thrown his hat into the ring, according to the Campaign Finance Board’s records. But his party affiliation was not clear.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
