By Howard Koplowitz
Southeast Queens elected officials are going to have to put up fights to retain their seats as numerous challengers have stepped up in their efforts to replace them.
State Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) is being primaried by Cambria Heights resident Clyde Vanel, who ran a failed campaign against City Councilman Leroy Comrie last year.
Clark has raised less than $1,000 so far for her re-election bid while Vanel said he filed disclosure statements with the state Campaign Finance Board but there are no records of the filing yet.
State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), whose district includes part of Queens Village, will be running in what should be one of the most contentious races in the borough against former City Councilman Tony Avella, a Democrat.
Padavan has raised more than $104,000 in his re-election campaign so far while Avella has received more than $83,000 in campaign contributions.
Another heated race is sure to be state Assemblyman David Weprin’s re-election campaign against Glen Oaks Village President Bob Friedrich.
Weprin and Friedrich faced off for the seat in a special election in February to replace City Councilman Mark Weprin.
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica), who has been scrutinized over his personal finances and ties to a questionable nonprofit, is being challenged by Republican attorney Asher Taub of Kew Gardens.
